Hotel Zaza Houston is one of the best hotels in Houston for having a bit of fun. Located in the city’s historic museum district, the Zaza Houston is both an excellent art hotel and a pet friendly hotel.

Despite your first impressions of Houston, this bustling city is not all work and no play. If you want to stay at a Hotel in Houston when visiting for pleasure, we recommend staying at Hotel ZaZa Houston.
Found in Houston’s museum district, the historic part of the city, this Texas luxury hotel is chock full of dramatic décor.

Hotel ZaZa has more than 300 guestrooms of varying sizes and styles. Feel free to stay in a ZaZa Petites suite, a Pool Bungalow, a Pool Villa, a Concept Suite or one of the Magnificent Seven Suites. No matter what, you will find a room that suits your purposes.

This hotel has style, with a funky twist. You’ll find leopard print carpets, luxurious touches and all the comforts of a world class hotel such as complimentary internet access and wireless internet throughout the hotel, ergonomic desks, down-filled pillows, Italian linens and private elevator access to the “Imagination Level” and “Rock Star Suite”.

The other great thing about this hotel is that it is pet friendly. So, you don’t have to leave your precious companion at home on your weekend getaway.
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Hotel Granduca is a business hotel located in Houston Texas.

Houston—one of the biggest and most bustling cities in the U.S. A. is noted for its industry. Many of the top fortune 500 companies are located here and, of course, so is NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. Houston is a must visit. Especially for business travelers.

Kiwi Collection highly recommends staying at Hotel Granduca when visiting Houston, Texas. This Houston luxury hotel brings a sense of calm to this hectic city with its old-world Italian design. Hotel Granduca is the city’s newest luxury boutique hotel (with 123 suites), and is perfect for business travelers or those looking for a quiet, five-star oasis in Houston.

Guests can choose from a wide range of room sizes and styles suitable for those who are both travelling alone or travelling with others. Each has a Tuscan-style decor and is lavished in warm hues and fabrics that leave you with a cozy and comfortable feeling.

The larger suites (two and three bedrooms) also offer a fully-stocked kitchen for guests to use, making these suites the most comfortable for longer stays.

Suites are cleaned twice a day to ensure that guests get the service they’ve come to expect.

Business travelers staying at this Houston resort will definitely want to take advantage of the two top-of-the-line conference rooms and spacious guest rooms with complimentary wireless internet service. After a long day, guests can unwind by visiting the courtyard and pool, taking some time out at the fitness facility or strolling over to the Uptown Park Shopping Center (one of the best places in Houston to shop).

After a busy day, unwind at the Ristorante Cavour, the hotel’s Northern Italian and French-inspired restaurant. Enjoy the tantalizing treats constructed by Executive Chef David Denis. We here at Kiwi Collection can’t think of a better way to experience Houston.

There’s never a bad time of year to visit the beautiful Canary Islands in Spain. Consisting of seven major islands, one minor island and several small islets, these volcanic North Atlantic islands have mild temperatures all year long and sandy beaches for all to enjoy.

Tenerife, is one of the best islands to visit. Not only is it home to the majority of the people who live in the Canary Islands, but it’s home to “the Teide Volcano”, which is the highest mountain in Spain (and the third largest volcano on Earth).

And, if that isn’t a draw enough, who can forget the sandy beaches and sunshine, best enjoyed during the summer.

When visiting, we suggest staying at the Abama Hotel Resort. This five-star hotel in the Canary Islands is found on the west coast of the island and offers a wide variety of accommodation options. There isn’t a bad room in this luxury hotel because it’s located on the top of a cliff. All suites and rooms having spacious terraces and great views.
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Every seasoned traveler knows that amazing scenery plays a huge part of a great experience. And, of course, in the travel exposure business, great travel photography of that amazing scenery is the key to success.

We here at Kiwi Collection know all about great photography.

The photography talents of one of our own — former Kiwi Insider Eugene Chekanov — was recently recognized when he won the Water World category of Canadian Geographic’s 24th annual photo contest.

His photos of Vancouver’s Staney Park (one of which is pictured to the right) really highlight Vancouver’s stunning landscape. And yes, Stanley Park really does look like that!

Eugene was first acquainted with his camera at age 10 when he was growing up in Lviv in Western Ukraine. It was love at first sight.

He quickly expanded his talents in photography and learned how to develop black and white photos. Mainly learning by trial and error, he continued to practice this fine art when he moved to Toronto, Canada in 1994.

The sheer beauty of Canada only encouraged him to test his skills further as he captured the country’s Great Lakes, forests and rocky shores.

Eugene moved to Vancouver in 2006, where he continues to explore photography. You can view more of Eugene Chekanov’s photography on his website.

Now, we can all see that Eugene is an excellent photographer, but it certainly helps when you have attractive subject matter like Vancouver.

Vancouver is an excellent place to visit if you want to enjoy the benefits of a cosmopolitan city while exploring the mountains, tall trees and the Ocean. We recommend staying at any Vancouver luxury hotel if you’re in the mood to travel to this beautiful Canadian city.

We could go on. But one incredible photo is worth 1,000 words, right? Congratulations Eugene!

If the beach is sounding a bit boring this season, why not visit the adventurous region of Patagonia? Packed with history and incredible scenery, this area of the world is found at the southernmost portion of South America in both Argentina and Chile.  It’s popular amongst eco-travelers, hikers, adventure seekers and those who flat out enjoy the fantastic beauty of this region.

As always, if you’re going to go on a trip to Chile, stay at a Chile luxury hotel.

One of our favourite places to stay in this exciting location is Explora en Patagonia Chile (a luxury lodge). It is located in the Torres del Paine National Park and is surrounded by the breathtaking Paine Mountain Range on the shore of Lake Pehoe.

With soaring mountains of unusual shape, glaciers and an abundance of lakes and waterfalls, the hotel’s setting couldn’t get any better. The simple design of the hotel creates a comfortable environment from which to enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding environment.

The best part about this adventure hotel is the daily “explorations” guests can partake in. Choose from five different explorations each day (selected, of course, based on the weather).  For example, a day on horseback is a common exploration, or a tour by foot, van or boat with one of the hotel’s area experts is another.

After spending the day outside, go to the nearby Casa de Banos del Ona for a dip in the indoor heated pool or a trip to the sauna, Jacuzzi or massage room to relax.

But don’t get too comfortable before dinner. Eating at the Explora en Patagonia is an adventure all on its own. The chefs use quality local products in all of their dishes and this Torres Del Paine hotel frequently looks for occasions to get the guests and the staff together at the Quincho, a traditional BBQ area.

The Côte D’Azur, also known as the French Riviera, is the Mediterranean coastline in South East France. As one of the first resort areas in the world, this sunny region is a popular destination for those who are looking for a great European vacation coupled with a big dose of sunshine and the beach.

When you visit one of the most practiced resort areas of the world, you should be getting only the best in luxury accommodation.

No resort knows the meaning of the word “luxury” more than Royal Mougins Luxury Golf Resort and Spa. This luxury resort on the Côte D’Azur offers pretty much everything you’ll need on your vacation to the south of France.

There isn’t a single place Royal Mougins isn’t close to. About 20 minutes from the Nice/ Côte D’Azur Airport, the resort is located about 15 minutes away from the sandy Cannes beaches, and 40 minutes away from Monaco. It’s in the ideal spot for day trips and lounging on the beach. The resort is in Mougins, which is a residential town full of green parks and large private estates. The town is full of art galleries and some of the finest restaurants in France call it home.
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Winter has now fully set in, and grey skies are the norm…everywhere but in sunny Cuba, the largest country in the Caribbean. Winter is the best time to visit this tropical location to soak up some rays and to soak up the local culture.

Havana is Cuba’s capital. It’s a beautiful and historical place to visit and is basically untouched by Americanism, making it a unique destination in the Caribbean.

If you plan on visiting Havana, Kiwi Collection recommends staying at Hotel Saratoga, found in the heart of the old part of the city on one of the busiest streets. It’s the best way to see Cuba in style.

It’s close to all of the city’s historical and cultural sites, as well as to the best restaurants and nightlife Cuba has to offer. And, of course, let’s not forget that this luxury Cuban hotel lets visitors explore Cuba with all the comforts of home (a rare commodity for sure).
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Soft music and aromatherapy were a welcome respite from the unusual weather that Seattle had to offer, the famous Pacific North Wet, had suddenly become the Pacific North white with a freak blizzard. The Lobby of the W Seattle Hotel is a sleek yet cozy and welcoming place to shake off, where we were met by an abundance of smiling faces to offer us help in spite of the risk of getting soaked from our saturated coats.

As we trundled up to our room, the music followed us into the elevator, but ceased as we cruised down the elegant designer hallway to our room on the 25th floor.

The white out conditions left barely a hint of the spectacular views of Puget Sound that would have been afforded to us, but the view inside was just as impressive.

I’d describe the large suite as ‘contemporary cozy’, well equipped with a spa-worthy bath, LCD TV that was mounted on a swivel so that it could be enjoyed from the living area or the bedroom.

I wished I knew more people in Seattle because the layout was perfect for entertaining, with multiple couches and chairs plus a swanky chaise lounge in the bedroom.

A great touch, I may add, were the fantastic books laid throughout the room. I was so engrossed, glass of their signature Dunham Cellars “W” wine in hand, that I almost missed our dinner reservation!

Also, W’s consideration for the business traveler was obvious as the room was well equipped with an Ethernet port and a printer, plus a dedicated business centre elsewhere in the hotel.

The snow, which continued to dump down on Seattle, could not deter us from taking advantage of the W’s prime location seemingly dead centre of, well, everything, in downtown Seattle.

Once we scarfed down a charcuterie plate and a sip of wine in the room, we donned our still damp overcoats and hats and headed down toward Pike Place Market stopping at the cavernous but delicious Wild Ginger restaurant for some welcome food and drink. We could have walked a few minutes seemingly in any direction to find something to do.

For us, gravity was the deciding factor and we just kept heading downhill until we reached the notorious ZigZag cafe just behind the market for some cocktails and a little dessert.

As we had an early flight the next day, we headed back to our Seattle hotel.  Stomping off snow from our boots, shaking the wet out of our hair, we were delighted to come upon the exquisite “Living Room,” engulfed in flickering candle light, and toasty from the magnificent fireplace.  We hunkered down in the envelope of warmth, warm drink in hand, and slowly defrosted.

A fantastic ending to a cold, wet evening.  Business, or recreation, W Seattle truly is top notch in service, ambience and amenities.

Golf might be a Scottish game, but some of the best golfing can be found elsewhere around the world. In the U.S., the Caribbean and, of course, in Ireland (possibly the greenest country there is).

If you’re looking to get away for a golf vacation, we highly recommend the Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort, an 18th century luxury castle found in County Limerick, Ireland. It’s a luxury five-star hotel with an 18 hole championship golf course. And, it was recently voted the 4th best golf resort in Condè Nast Traveler Magazine’s “Top 100 Gold Resorts 2008 Readers’ Poll”.

So why is this Irish hotel so good for golf, you ask? Avid golfers can test their skills at the resort’s world class Robert Trent Jones Sr. golf course (which is the last major golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Senior). His design, situated on 230 acres of beautiful countryside, has gained international recognition.
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Susan Field is the Founder and Managing Director of Impact Asia, an independent communications and events agency in Hong Kong.  Over the years, she has provided strategic counsel to many prestigious brands especially in the travel, lodging, hospitality and luxury goods sectors.

The enchanting city of Florence never loses its magic, and on a recent visit, I was once again captivated by its special beauty and history.

I was lucky enough to stay at the wonderful Ferragamo-owned Hotel Lungarno, one of a small selection of luxury hotels that belongs to the famous family.

The location of Lungarno Suites and its sister hotels, Hotel Art and the uber-chic Continental, is perfect, being just a few steps from the Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi – and within walking distance of the major sights.  The 44 luxurious suites (comprising either studios, one or two-bedrooms) offer guests the privacy of an independent apartment together with hotel services and exclusive room service supplied by The Fusion Bar Shozan-Gallery.

As with all Lungarno hotels, the interiors are of a very high standard. I especially loved the dramatic powder blue velvet curtains which frame the view over the Arno and the stunning black and white contemporary photographs of some of the city’s most historic sculptures. (Many items can be bought at the elegant Ferragamo-owned shop, which is just downstairs).
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As I landed at the Los Angeles airport, I had butterflies just thinking about the event I would be attending that evening. My chauffeur, Yuri, sent from the SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills to pick me up, filled me on all the hype.

Apparently this truly was going to be the “party of the century”. Arriving around 4 p.m. for check in on Thurs. Dec. 4, crews were busy preparing for the SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills’ grand opening. The traffic was blocked off while the “red carpet” was being laid out for the grand opening.

Roughly 1,000 guests were invited, however staff at the hotel was expecting at least 1,500 — that’s what happens when everyone wants to attend the exclusive invite only party.
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The French wine region of Bordeaux is well known for producing some world’s great Cabernet Sauvignon wines, but in recent years, boutique producers from Australia’s Margaret River region have begun to convince Cabernet lovers to look elsewhere.

I had the pleasure of meeting the passionate founder of Leeuwin Estate’s Dennis Hogan a few years back and ever since have always wanted to visit the Margaret River. Dennis explained that it was the in 1972, following an extensive search for the area most suitable to produce the best varietal wines in Australia, legendary American winemaker, Robert Mondavi, identified the future site of the Leeuwin vineyard. Originally a cattle farm, Leeuwin Estate evolved with Robert Mondavi acting as consultant, mentor and life-long friend.

It was with great excitement that I set off from Perth and headed south along the coast. After a four-hour drive the scenery began to change and vineyards appeared. Names including Brooklyn Valley, Devils Lair and Howard Park to name few were found on signs and the excitement began to grow.
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If you’re looking for all the comforts of home in a distant place, take a trip to Hawaii. Smack dab in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, you can’t get further away from stress,  yet closer to great shopping, than this remote American state.

If you’re planning to take a trip out this way, we recommend staying at The Kahala Hotel and Resort. It’s the sort of place where the staff know you by name once you’ve been there once or twice. This is possible, of course, because most of The Kahala’s staff have been working at this luxury resort for more than 20 years. And, the service that comes with that level of experience and dedication is what really sets this place apart (and why Kiwi Collection recommends it).

Take advantage of one of The Kahala Hotel and Resort’s 306 spacious guest rooms, or one of its 23 suites. Furnished in a style they call “Kahala Chic” (plantation style meets Asia), guests will feel quite at home with a fabulous view of the Pacific Ocean. The suites in particular have all been individually designed and guests staying in them can also receive a whole host of great services, such as being escorted to the suite by the manager, an unpacking and packing service, preferential ocean front seating at the restaurants and more.

Speaking of restaurants, The Kahala boasts five venues for guests to dine at, each offering their own unique ambiance and mood. Go for a casual bite at the Seaside Grill, cocktails at The Veranda and a true island experience at Hoku’s (renowned for its innovative meals combining Hawaiian, Asian and European flavours).

In terms of activities, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the sun and the ocean at the resort—watersports, relaxing by the pool, swimming with the dolphins or visiting the shopping arcade—everything is quickly accessible. And, shopping on Waikiki’s luxurious 2100 Kalakaua Avenue, where Tiffany & Co., coach, Yes Saint Laurent, Chanel, Gucci and Tod’s and Boucheron are found, is only a quick shuttle bus away.

Kick back and relax at this Hawaii luxury hotel. You’ll be glad you did it!