When your clients ask for a luxurious getaway with all of the trimmings, suggest these opulent hotel and train accommodations.
Grecian Grandeur
Stefanos Tsipas’ dream of building a luxurious boutique villa became a reality when Santorini Heights made its debut in late April. Situated on the tallest hill in Santorini, Greece in the Natura 2000 European protected area, Santorini Heights features four suites that can accommodate up to three guests, complete with either an outdoor heated infinity pool (Superior suite) or heated plunge pool, private sea view balcony, fully equipped kitchen and living room, plus a dining room, king-size bed, and access to flower and herb gardens. According to Tsipas, the property is so grand that “many of our guests have already rebooked another stay…. It’s a true testimony as how much they enjoyed this extremely spectacular place and [its] surroundings and our welcoming hospitality.” The property’s onsite chef cooks guests a complimentary breakfast made with natural ingredients for them to enjoy in their private balcony or suite. The chef is also able to prepare other meals, in addition to leading interactive cooking classes. Make sure to mention the breadth of outdoor activities available around Santorini Heights to your nature-loving clients as guests can find hiking, climbing, cycling, fishing and swimming off the black-sand beaches all within a short distance. Rates start at $284 pp per night depending on the suite and season. Santorini Heights offers 15 percent commission on bookings. For more information, visit santoriniheights.com.
The Royal Treatment in London
In honor of the Queen’s 90th birthday this year, London’s 146-guestroom The Rubens at the Palace is offering guests the ultimate royal treatment with its 3-night Live like Royalty package. This package includes regal accommodations, a celebratory Royal Afternoon Tea with a collection of sweet and savory items associated with monarchs throughout the ages, a 2.5-hour horse-drawn carriage ride around London in the same royal carriage that has transported members of the Royal family, and a gourmet four-course, state banquet-style dinner featuring the finest ingredients and meat provided by the same butcher that supplies Buckingham Palace and Queen Elizabeth II.
The Rubens is located directly across the Royal Mews on a site that formed part of the grounds and stabling of the original Buckingham House (now Buckingham Palace). For guests looking to stay in the creme de la creme suites, The Rubens offers eight individually decorated Royal Rooms situated in a private wing of the hotel. Rates for the Live Like Royalty package start at $740 per room, per night based on a Royal Themed Double Room. For more information, visit rubenshotel.com.
A Deluxe Stay in Portland
Portland, Oregon’s Hotel deLuxe, featuring 130 glamorous accommodations that channel the Golden Age of Hollywood cinema, is located in the city’s downtown area near top-notch restaurants, shopping destinations and nightclubs. Guests of the hotel can explore the city in style in a vintage 1966 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Touring Limousine by renting the vehicle through the Hotel deLuxe at a rate of $300 for up to three hours. This service, available exclusively to guests staying at the Hotel deLuxe, comes with a professional chauffer and can also be booked with a Royal Picnic package, which includes an overnight stay in a Queen or King Premier suite, a full, 2-hour English picnic with tea sandwiches, scones, cold Cornish pasties and Scotch eggs, plus a roundtrip chauffeured outing to guests’ choice of Portland scenic parks (Waterfront Park, Laurelhurst Park, Mt. Tabor Park or Cathedral Park). If guests choose to tour on their own, Portland experts at the Hotel deLuxe can help them plan an itinerary and driving route. Advanced reservations are required and rental is based on availability. Outings can be extended for $100 per hour for up to five hours. The Royal Picnic package starts at $549 and can be booked year-round. Regular room rates start at $239 in the summer. For more information, call (503) 219-2094 or visit hoteldeluxe.com.
A Luxury Sleeper Train
For clients who prefer a more exotic ride, Belmond has announced the launch of its luxury sleeper train, the Belmond Andean Explorer, in Peru. Expected to launch May 2017, the new train is scheduled to travel along the Peruvian Andes from Cusco to Lake Titicaca and Arequipa, while exploring natural wonders and ancient kingdoms on 1- and 2-night journeys. The 68-passenger train offers a selection of four journeys, including the 2-night Peruvian Highlands. This 3-day trip departs from Cusco and travels across the highest plains of the Andes to Puno, where guests visit the remote villages and floating islands on Lake Titicaca. Afterwards, guests continue onwards to the city-center of Arequipa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights of this experience include a chance to explore the vast Colca Canyon, home of the condor, and the option to book the Spirit of the Andes overnight escape, which travels from Lake Titicaca to Cusco.
The Belmond Andean Explorer features a selection of en-suite cabins, including two Double cabins, 20 Twin cabins and 12 bunk bed cabins accommodating two people. The train also has two dining cars that serve fresh, seasonal dishes using local ingredients, an Observation Car with an open-air deck, and a Lounge Car. Rates for the 1-night Spirit of the Andes journey start at $462 pp, and include all meals, an open bar, and scheduled excursions. For more information, visit belmond.com/belmond-andean-explorer.
