Some of the most beautiful scenery in the world can be found along Mexico’s Pacific coast. If you’re so inclined to see this gorgeous coastline in peaceful luxury, Kiwi Collections recommends staying at Las Alamandas Resort.

Las Alamandas is about half way between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo, and is located within a 1,500-acre private paradise of lush tropical gardens, exotic birds and endless white-sand beaches. This luxury resort in Mexico is really intimate, with only six villas, accommodating a maximum of 30 guests.

The resort is managed like a private estate where guests are meant to feel completely at home, and each room is decorated in jewel-like Mexican colors, hand selected by owner/developer Isabel Goldsmith-Patiño.

Las Alamandas’ full-service restaurant, Oasis, treats guests to elegant meals right by the Ocean. The menu includes quite a few Mexican dishes, and all of the ingredients are fresh, with fish and seafood brought in daily from local fishermen. Of course, many of the fruits and vegetables served are actually grown organically on the resort’s property.

Guests can also enjoy the 60-foot freshwater pool, found right alongside the ocean and “La Palapa” Beach Club — adjacent to the pool to give sunbathers a break when they need shade, and a drink.

If our word isn’t good enough, Las Alamandas is a highly recommended luxury resort by others as well. It was named one of the “top 20 international hideaways” and the top hideaway in Mexico by Andrew Harper’s 2008 Hideaway Report, and has been featured by the New York Times, Forbes, GQ, Town and Country Magazine and more!

Make a trip to Las Alamandas one of your New Year’s resolutions. Trust us — you won’t be disappointed.

While some make a b-line for the beach to escape Jack Frost, others embrace the snow—and all the fun you can have in it—by heading to Mt. Timpanogos in Utah. This spot is perfect for those who love winter sports. If that sounds like your cup of tea, be sure to keep yourself, and your skis, warm at Sundance Resort.

This beautiful Utah Resort is ideal for ski vacations of all kinds. Whether it’s just you and your spouse, your family or a larger group, there are rustic suites, lofts and homes of all sizes for you to choose from. All suites have warm wood burning fire places for guests to enjoy — they’re especially nice after a long day on the slopes.
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Soaring above North Michigan Avenue, Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago is downtown Chicago’s best luxury hotel. Kiwi Collection recommends this hotel, and other Trump International Hotels, for those who really want to feel like they own the world.

The 339 guest rooms, suites and spa rooms are well designed, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows and custom furnishings for guests to enjoy. There’s a lot of variety in terms of room size, with accommodation ranging from 600 square feet to more than 1000 square feet.

Modern kitchens, top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances and wooden cabinetry are a big plus here, really making these suites feel like your home away from home a la Donald Trump. They certainly make you want to unwind and relax after a meeting-filled day.
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In keeping with traditional Moroccan hospitality, Terre Resort and Spa welcomes guests as personal friends! Located outside of Marrakech, visitors to this luxury hotel in Morocco can enjoy the peace and quiet of the palm desert, while enjoying the city life (which is a short drive away).

Guests are greeted upon arrival with traditional mint tea and sweets, and are taken to their comfortable guestrooms. There are 52 suites at the hotel in 18 octagonal raid-style buildings. There are rooms designed for all travel purposes (and number of travel companions) here, with executive suites to romance villas to a huge royal residence that can accommodate up to 12 people. You have a wide selection of suites at your disposal.

It’s easy to get lost inside the beauty of the rooms. But don’t forget to spend a bit of time outside at Terre Resort. The beautifully landscaped gardens, full of indigenous tress, palms and plants will catch your eye. The gardens are truly spectacular, and bring a sense of peace and tranquility to this hectic area of the world.
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High-end consumers visiting Forbes Traveler will have their prayers answered early next year when they can book their dream vacations instantaneously using Kiwi Collection’s hotel booking engine.

Forbes and Kiwi Collection, one of the world’s largest luxury hotel directory, announced a deal yesterday that allows visitors to www.forbestraveler.com to book hotels from the site. In addition, Kiwi Collection’s entire listing of luxury accommodations, consisting of 2,100 hotels and resorts in 140 countries, will be featured on Forbes Traveler.

Not only does this deal mean great things for discerning travelers looking for an easier way to find and book luxury accommodations online, but also greater exposure for all of the hotels in Kiwi Collection’s directory to millions of people who are interested in staying in high-end accommodations.
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Rain and snow are huge downers in the winter. Who wouldn’t want to leave it all behind for a week or so to visit the sunny sandy beaches of the US Virgin Islands?

If you decide to take a trip to the USVIs, stay at the Westin St. John Resort and Villa. According to Trip Advisor’s 2008 Travelers Choice Awards, The Westin St. John is the number 7 destination in the world. And, given that it’s located on 1,200 feet of private beach (minutes from the Virgin Islands National Park), and is really close to the St. Thomas airport, it’s clear why.

This fantastic resort is featured in Kiwi Collection’s directory of luxury hotels.
There’s plenty to do at the resort from swimming and snorkeling to playing tennis or golf to relaxing at the spa.
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The Vine Hotel on the island of Madiera is our kind of place: “a hotel with soul, just like a good wine!” This Portuguese gem is a lesson in modern sophistication. With 57 luxury bedrooms and 22 luxury suites, it provides guests with a truly unique, wine-infused experience.

And by “wine-infused experience”, we don’t mean their world-class restaurant.

It’s true, there are plenty of ways to relax in this upscale hotel. Guests can take a dip in the panoramic pool or enjoy a fabulous gourmet dinner with a great view of the city. But the best way to spend time here in our opinion is to take in the wine-themed spa.

The Vine Spa is definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for a little regeneration. The focus here is “vinotherapy”, which is all about using grape-infused products, which are the best for anti-aging spa treatments.
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You have heard of the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, right? Everyone has heard of the Bellagio! It’s been a symbol of luxury and elegance in the world’s entertainment capital city since opening in 1998. So, I was extremely excited to have the opportunity to visit the Bellagio in Las Vegas in early December to see if the experience actually lived up to the hype.

The location was exceptional — right in the very center of the Las Vegas Strip on the site of the infamous Dunes casino.   As you pull up you can see that this luxurious Nevada hotel has been inspired by the Lake Como resort Bellagio in Italy. It’s easy to forget for a moment that you are actually in sin city.

The lobby took my breath away; I looked up at Dale Chihuly’s “ Fiori di Como”, composed of over 2,000 hand-blown glass flowers that cover the lobby’s ceiling. Exquisite and beautiful! I had to stop for a moment to take it in.

I headed up to my suite on the 22nd floor hoping for a view of the fountain. Luckily for me, I wasn’t disappointed. With floor to ceiling windows overlooking the strip and the famous fountain, I sat in the contemporary suite and waited for the show.

I learned that if you turn on your TV to a specific chancel you could hear the music that is playing during the show.  I was mesmerized listening to Frank Sinatra’s “Fly me to the Moon”, watching the choreographed light and water show.

And, in a flash, it was time for dinner. I contemplated which of the many restaurants to choose from.  Bellagio is the only hotel in the country with two AAA Five Diamond Award restaurants, Le Cirque and Picasso. I opted for the contemporary Sensi restaurant. The restaurant it is sleek in style with an open kitchen so you can watch all the action as your food is prepared.  On the recommendation of my waiter I ended up ordering the Butter Chicken. Fantastic!

You can’t stay at the Bellagio without seeing “O”.  Bellagio is home to Cirque du Soleil’s aquatic production. I have seen many of the Cirque du Soleil’s shows – “O” is my favorite.  Prepare to be amazed, astonished and thoroughly entertained.

I had a wonderful stay at the Bellagio – as I was leaving they were just finishing up the Holiday theme in the Conservatory. The staff worked 24 hours a day for a week setting up the elaborate display.  I’m wondering what the theme will be next time I visit.

Beach combing on two dozen powdery-white beaches, diving in the Great Barrier Reef’s renowned  clear waters and swimming with the sea turtles are but three of the many ways to spend your time at Lizard Island.

This 40-room luxury resort is a remote paradise located on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, making it the perfect spot to enjoy the beauty of one of the world’s seven natural wonders.

Guests are greeted with Champagne and fruit upon arrival at the Pavilion, and, depending on how they feel, they can get right in to the action or relax on the beach.

Diving and snorkeling are by far the most sought after activities at Lizard Island, given the pavilion’s proximity to the reef. If you aren’t an expert in the water, no worries: Lizard Island offers both snorkeling lessons and diving lessons!

And, you don’t have to go too far to start seeing the inhabitants of the sea. There is excellent reef snorkeling in Anchor Bay (right in front of the resort), as well as at Sunset Beach and Watson’s Bay. A highlight of snorkeling in this area is the giant clams that make this area their home.

Once guests get their feet wet, they can go on many an excursion, including diving and snorkeling trips to the inner or outer reef. Catering to every kind of diver, go for a quick half day dive, or explore the reef all day long.

But remember to save your energy. Just because the afternoon is over, doesn’t mean the diving is too. For the adventurous souls looking to see something different, be sure to check out one of Lizard Island’s night dives to catch a glimpse of the Ocean’s nocturnal creatures.

Of course, not everyone is up for diving each and every night. If you just want to relax, make an appointment for a massage at the Azure Spa before enjoying  a drink at Lizard Island’s bar and lounge, and fresh seafood at Ospreys Restaurant.

We at Kiwi Collection can’t think of a better place to stay than Lizard Island for a diving or snorkeling vacation on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Home of the feral camel, red kangaroo and emu, who would have thought that the remote Australian Outback is also the stomping ground of a 5-star luxury hotel and resort: Longitude 131°.

This eco-sensitive and romantic resort is found at the border of World Heritage listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in the Northern Territory in Australia, perfect for an Outback adventure in comfort.

Accommodation at Longitude 131° is really unique. Guests stay in elevated luxury tents, each paying homage to an early Australian pioneer or explorer.  Each of the hotel’s 15 rooms is adorned with white domed roofs of flowing fabric draped from the center. They’re designed to be cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

The creative and rustic design certainly fits the mood of the Outback. And, of course, each suite offers breathtaking views, especially during sunrise and sunset: a true experience in this stunning area of the world.

During the day, guests can “take the road less traveled” through Longitude’s exceptional wilderness touring program. Be sure to go on an expedition to Uluru—Australia’s world-renowned sandstone icon. You can experience tours in an intimate environment with a few other guests, or customize your own personal itinerary.

In the evening, enjoy the sunset at Dune Top with pre-dinner cocktails before going to dinner. Guests can feast under the stars at Longitude’s outdoor dining venue, Table 131°, or they can relax indoors in the Dune House. For guests looking for a more private dining experience, arrangements can always be made to dine in the library area, the Dune Top or at the poolside.

There isn’t any better way to experience the Outback in style, which is why Kiwi Collection recommends this desert gem.