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Welcome to the May 2008 issue of WOWconfidential, Kiwi Collection's exclusive insider's newsletter by Mary Gostelow, editor-in-chief of WOW.travel, our online luxury magazine for discerning global travellers.
Please enjoy the rest of this month's WOW.travel. Our Insider is Stephen Alden, President and CEO, London-based Maybourne Hotel Group; Concierge Corner is Sumit Chatterjee, of The Taj Mahal, New Delhi; Style specialist is Sarah Cairns of Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, and Away Nights is The Chedi, Muscat, in the fascinating Sultanate of Oman. See also Seven Sensational country runs (or jogs or walks). As always, there are hosts of exciting entries in both VIP and future events and happenings. Around The World this month takes us to Aguajales wetlands, Peru; Jaipur, Rajasthan, India; Mount Cook, New Zealand; Riviera Maya, Mexico, and we have two culinary specials in the USA, Alain Ducasse in New York, and John Tesar in Dallas.
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Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay
Hello from the northern Musandam Peninsula in the Sultanate of Oman. I have just arrived at the characterful paraglide-in Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay, here I am, left, on the beach with its newly-arrived Perth-born GM, Rochelle Kilgariff. Read more, shortly, meanwhile see another stunning luxury resort in Oman, The Chedi, Muscat.The Chedi Muscat, Muscat, Oman
See other hotels in Muscat (4)
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Artistic treasures abound at the Hong Kong International Art Fair
This Andy Warhol 1987 'Daimler Motor Carriage, 1886, and Benz Patent Motorcar, 1886, with Passengers', exhibited by the Max Lang Gallery of New York, is one of the treasures at the Hong Kong International Art Fair, May 14-18, 2008. . Lehman Brothers is the main fair sponsor, and the closest hotel is Grand Hyatt Hong Kong - we love its Plateau spa suites.Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, Hong Kong, S.A.R., China
See other hotels in Hong Kong, S.A.R. (9)
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Jaipur Gems
In Jaipur a couple of weeks ago, WOW.travel was highly privileged to have a private tour of the Rajasthan city's fabulous shopping, including watching gem cutters at work. Read what Jaipur has to offer the inquisitive luxury traveler.
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The tantalizing sights of Titilaka Inkaterra
The brand-new 18-room Titilaka Inkaterra, on the banks of Lake Titicaca, has an Experiences Concierge to help plan such excursions as visits to the islands of Amantani, Taquile or Uros; or birdwaching or interactive conservation. Read more of Inkaterra's luxury experiences in Peru.
Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica, Madre de Dios, Peru
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The Donovan House wows in DC
Among the newest city-center hotels to hit the beautiful (for which read 'luxury') scene is the 193-room Donovan House - A Thompson Hotel, in Washington DC, named for Wild Bill Donovan, considered the father of the CIA. Designer Studio Gaia turns mirrors in corridors and rooms into the 'art', and you have a rooftop pool and bar, plus a Todd English restaurant. Brett Blass (photo) runs the whole thing.
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Sail Away to Dreamland - Dubai Style
Another beautiful newcomer is the 498-room InterContinental Dubai Festival City, a 36-floor 'sail' shape that soars above Dubai Creek, and run by Tom Meyer. WOW.travel found it ideal for business (the business center and gym are both 24-hours) and leisure - see an article coming up.
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Classical melodies at Villa La Massa
Villa La Massa, Firenze Candele, has some exciting classical concerts this month - the Melody String Quartet playing as you overlook the Arno. Concerts on May 15th, 22nd and 29th - and June 5th, 2008 - last from seven until 11pm, with a two-hour break for dinner created by Andrea Quagliarella.Villa La Massa, Florence, Italy
See other hotels in Florence (16)
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Fairmont and Lexus: a sustainable partnership
At Fairmont, sustainability is common sense (Fairmont Royal York keeps bees on its rooftops, guests everywhere are asked to separate paper from other waste). In the USA, it is partnering with Lexus. Its San Francisco and Washington DC luxury hotels will have a Lexus Hybrid Living suite, designed by Kelly LaPlante (Suite Sleep organic mattresses, Coyuchi Organic sheets, coffee tables of recycled car leather) - and free use of a Lexus LS 600h L
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A music festival in May
Pianist Alfred Brendel (photo) plays at this year's Prague Spring International Music Festival, running from May 12 to June 4, 2008. Other stars include Rudolf Buchbinder, Julia Fischer, Edita Gruberova, Nigel Kennedy, Dagmar Peckova, and Andras Schiff, plus some of Europe's leading orchestras. Mandarin Oriental Prague has a two-night package with festival ticketsMandarin Oriental Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
See other hotels in Prague (11)
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Spa Villagio's revolutionary vision of pleasure
How far can spa experiences go? At the new Spa Villagio at the Vintage Inn, Yountville, California, you are greeted by a revolving art show of 340 classical works by Renoir, Van Gogh and so on. Of the 16 treatment rooms, five have Bose sound, working fireplaces, daybeds, full wet bars, and outdoor terraces for views of Napa Valley - oh yes, and you can order room service whenever. Who needs a massage?
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A divine design conference in Delaware
Winterthur, Delaware, was built for Henry Francis du Pont (seen entertaining guests, photo courtesy Winterthur Archives). Winterthur's annual Chic It Up! Design conference, May 16-17, 2008, concentrates on the 1930's, with such renowned speakers as Louis Bofferding, Eric Cohler, Linda Eaton, Francis Elkins, Stephen M. Salney and Jeni Sandberg. Also in Delaware, The Baroque World of Fernando Botero runs through June 8th, 2008 at the Delaware Art Museum
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Libya's Leptis Magna is magnificent
George Deeb, who founded iExplore, has visited over 50 countries, and his ten best sites are The Pyramids, Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu, Angkor, Jerusalem, Stonehenge, The Great Wall, Petra, Rome and Easter Island. Well WOW.travel has been to about 150 countries, and would definitely add Libya's Leptis Magna (photo): we stayed at Corinthia Bab Africa, and they arranged our trip.Corinthia Bab Africa Hotel, Tripoli, Libya
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Adventurous Torontonians
In Toronto a couple of weeks ago, I met up with the co-founder of luxury adventure Butterfield & Robinson, George Butterfield (left), and the company's CEO Benson Cowan. Toronto is just so exciting these days; you can read about its stunning architecture on the next issue of WOW.travel
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Chocolate is cherished in Tokyo
Japanese chocoholics can now head for the Hilton Tokyo's Chocolat Boutique, a partnership with Chocolat Bel Amer Kanagawa-born chocolatier Kazuyuki Kosugi (chocolate is the beauty of the four seasons). The boutique has been designed by Yasuhiro Koichi of SPIN and top urushi lacquer master Taiichi Kirimoto, and Emi Kagimoto's packaging represents floating sumi (ink) and drifting aromas.
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Coming next month, our Insider is Gordon Campbell Gray of CampbelL Gray Hotels; our style specialist is Lorenzo Fasola Bologna of Monte Vibiano, and Away-Night is in Dubai. See also Seven Sensational places to dine overlooking a river. Note, if you have not yet signed up for our complimentary emailed newsletter, I invite you to do so now, on WOW.travel Have a great month!
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