Serengeti with Alexander+Roberts.
Treat your clients to sublime vacations.
suites with a view in south africa
The picturesque village of Franschhoek in South Africa is home to 40 wine estates, colonial architecture, numerous gourmet restaurants, art galleries and curio shops. Clients who like to soak in the surroundings, so to speak, will want to opt for one of the area’s most lavish accommodations, The Vineyard Suites at La Residence. These fanciful suites are part of Cox & Kings’ accommodation offerings in South Africa and are a feast for the eyes. They are ornately done up with such eclectic decor details as pistachio-green or plum-colored couches, black-and-white harlequin-patterned vanity cabinets, curtains of shimmering gold silk, antique Chinese cabinets, and brightly painted octagonal tables and couches in “mouth-watering” tangerine and raspberry velvet. There are five Vineyard Suites in all, ranging from the exotic Tibetan Suite with its Oriental antiques and rich orange tones to the blue and yellow Chambre Bleu with its Provencal antiques, velvets and silks. Although each suite offers its own unique character, they all have one thing in common—views of the stunning surroundings, which practically spill indoors through a proliferation of French doors.
According to Robert Veden, senior destination manager, Africa & Middle East, Cox & Kings, The Americas, “We can work with the agent to create a seamless tour experience incorporating the Vineyard Suites at La Residence as well as all private transportation and expertly guided private sightseeing experiences. Typically this is part of a larger South Africa journey also incorporating Cape Town, safari, and possibly more (such as Victoria Falls). The Vineyard Suites are great for honeymooners looking for exclusivity (one of the villas is 1-bedroom), families with children (four of the suites offer 2-3 bedrooms), friends traveling together (two of the 2-bedroom suites are ideal for this), or
multi-generational journeys—all 5 villas can be booked in conjunction sleeping 20 guests with some public areas they can share exclusively.”
bird’s-eye view of dubai with waldorf astoria
The Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah sets the stage for a royal stay with a Waldorf Astoria Unforgettable Experience, which, incidentally, are offered at all 25 of Waldorf Astoria’s properties. In Dubai, the Unforgettable Experience includes a 3-night stay with breakfast; couples’ Waldorf Astoria Spa experience; a hot air balloon ride; a camel ride to a desert dinner for two; a Bentley airport transfer and a guided tour of the local markets, the Spice Souk and Gold Souk. Of course, if you want to truly up the ante on this vacation, you can recommend your clients book the 16,867-sq.-ft. Royal Suite with panoramic city and sea views, VIP check-in, butler service, and a living room with a grand piano, among other treasures. Of course, for mere mortals, you might want to take it down a notch and recommend the 4,197-sq.-ft. Presidential Suite with Gulf views (all rooms have views that will awe your clients). When they’re not delighting in their Unforgettable Experience, clients can relax at the hotel’s 12-treatment room spa, hang out on the private beach, relax by one of the pools, or get their wining and dining on at one of the six onsite restaurants and lounges.
wildlife viewing in the serengeti
For clients who yearn to call a luxury tent in a remote area of Africa home for a few days, recommend Alexander+Roberts’ 9-day Luxury Tenting in the Serengeti itinerary, which starts at $7,799 pp dbl for February 2016 departures. Accommodations change depending on season, but include the Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge, with views of the lake; Lemala Ngorongoro Tented Camp, whose eight private tents are perched on the rim of the crater; the Lemala Ewanjan Tented Camp, with views of the Serengeti migration; the Lemala Ndutu Camp, considered the “ultimate amphitheater for the Great Migration”; and Lemala Mara Tented Camp, overlooking the expanse of the northern Serengeti toward the Mara River. Trip highlights include a hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti; the opportunity to meet with the son of a Maasai chief; a bush walk and night safari at Lake Manyara; plus a visit to Olduvai Gorge.
contact information
alexander+roberts: alexanderroberts.com
cox & kings: coxandkingsusa.com or coxandkingsusa.com/content/travel-advisor-portal-login
What travel professionals are saying…
We reached out to luxury travel advisor Susan Farewell and posed this question: With luxury camps (and other exotic accommodations) being “almost” commonplace in Africa for high-end clients, how do you see truly luxury journeys evolving on the African continent within the next five years?
“Key words are ‘custom’ and ‘private.’ My clients are forever asking me to design trips that are truly one of a kind. They have very specific things they want to see/do, and none of the ‘canned itineraries’ work for them. For some, it might be a particular animal they want to see (could even be a certain kind of bug!). For others, it’s all about the wines wherever they go. Others want to combine experiences. For example, they may want to have a South African shark cage experience and then do a bit of touring in wine country and top it off with a few days of safari.
I am also seeing more return visits to Africa among my clientele and a great pride in visiting the different destinations and maintaining a life-long wildlife list of creatures they want to see. The most successful lodges/camps are going to be able to pivot and accommodate increasing demands that come from sophisticated travelers. My clients don’t want ‘Safari 101.’
I also think the safari lodges/camps that will see the most success are the ones that can offer the most authentic experiences. Travelers don’t want to feel as if they are merely ‘tourists’ and shows are being put on for them.
Lastly, time is the biggest commodity it seems. So, the most successful properties are the ones that can cut down on the time it takes getting to/from them. BUT at the same time, they have to have that faraway feel to them.”
—Susan Farewell, Founder, Westport, CT-based Farewell Travels LLC
waldorf astoria dubai palm jumeirah: waldorfastoria3.hilton.com or waldorfastoria3.hilton.com/en/about/travel-agents.html
