True luxury comes to the Australian outback. Great Southern Railways launches “the Southern Spirit – luxury rail cruises”

The Great Southern Rail is launching its new Platinum level Service on The Ghan rail service. The Ghan has connected Adelaide with Darwin for a number of years but the new Platinum service really takes this train journey into a level of luxury of some of the great train journeys of the world. The twice weekly trip takes two nights to cover the 2979km in either direction with ½ day stop-overs in Alice Spring and Katharine on the way. The new Platinum cabins are twice the size of Gold class cabins and include full ensuite facilities, a plush lounge by day and a double or two twin beds by night. Platinum class includes 24 hour room service but you also have the choice of dining in the elegantly themed Queen Adelaide Restaurant Carriage or relaxing in the outback Explorer lounge.

This trip from south to north is the last word in luxury for a train line that took over 100 years to develop. The original Ghan replaced the Afghan camel drivers who helped open up the outback. The first 40 kilometres of track was laid in 1879 between Port Augusta and Quorn. It took another 50 years following the line of artesian springs through Maree, Oodnadatta until the line reached Alice Springs: roughly ½ way. The line was notoriously difficult to maintain and the old Ghan train, definitely not a 5 star luxury experience, was often days late into either Alice Springs or Adelaide. The old line had to follow the line of artesian water bores as the steam trains needed frequent water stops. Finally in 1980 the current line was opened re-aligning the train to Alice Springs via Tarcoola, several hundred kilometres to the east. Remnants of the old line remain are a popular trip for 4WD enthusiasts. The line was only extended to Darwin in 2003! Photo credit: vacation tips

November 2008 sees the launch of Luxury Australian Rail Cruises, with a 13 day cruise across the heart of Australia from the Darwin, through the tropical tropical Top End, the Red Centre, the scenic south, Adelaide, Melbourne and Canberra to Sydney. This marathon trip takes 13 days and is priced at A$13,290 per person twin share in Platinum class (the cheaper gold class is also available). Prices include “port excursions”in Katharine, Alice Springs, Adelaide, Melbourne and Canberra. What a way to experience without any of the inconvenience of the dust and flys: well except of course when you leave the “ship”!

According to Mr. Big Time, the house has three fireplaces, an atrium great room, a pool, separate guest house and a fair-sized yard on just over 3/4 of an acre.

The atrium great room has a ton of windows, with views of the trees and hills. It opens out straight to the pool. We love the brightness of the room with all of those windows. Not really digging the fireplace, though. But there’s not enough of it in the pictures to get a great view.

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The kidney-shaped pool has several palm trees at one end and a little deck/ entertaining area next to it. And the kitchen? Well, you know our love of kitchens. It seems nice, with what could possibly be cherry wood cabinets. A six-burner stove is always a good sign. But other than that, there aren’t enough shots of the kitchen for us to adequately drool over it. And that? Makes us sad indeed, my lovelies.

The living room seems pretty huge, with a raised ceiling and exposed beams. The beam look may not be for everyone, but we like it when it’s done right. You can fit a couple of extremely long couches and plenty of chairs, so it would be perfect for someone who likes to have quiet parties with lots of friends sitting around, sipping wine and talking about their latest book club read.

Anyway, we’re a little surprised that anything in the Hollywood Hills is going for “only” $2,000,000, especially one with views of the city and Hollywood sign.

Butler is best known for her acerbic humor and television show, Grace Under Fire.

According to Yahoo news, Mr. Branson said that his two private Caribbean Islands have a higher purpose than serving as ultra-luxury retreats for entertainment and business A-listers, and he plans to power the proposed resort with a mixture of solar and wind power. He apparently said this while standing next to his collection of pink flamingos, a species not native to the Caribbean, but decorative enough to warrant importing and to hell with the environmental consequences.

It is actually inexcusable for the Caribbean to need to use dirty fuels anymore when it has all these natural resources on its doorstep

The Island itself, Mosquito Island, is currently an uninhabited dot of land off the Island Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. The proposal includes plans for wind cooling, and solar heating, both of which are available just by standing on the beach I would imagine. The full story is here.

Mr. Branson has been selling himself as a “green,” advocate for some time now, and we all know how well his plans to run his airplanes on coconut oil are progressing. Last time I checked, the air was still full of Virgin banners using Avgas.

So, how eco-friendly can a resort this remote be? Is it merely coincidence that any one visiting this resort from Europe must fly half way around the world first, and Mr. Branson just happens to own an airline?

He has already defended himself from the allegation that he is a hypocrite for running a transatlantic airline and claiming to be an environmentalist with the argument that if he didn’t do it, somebody else would.

Now, I am no expert on carbon footprints, but lets take a family of four in Sussex, for example: a car drive to Heathrow, a transatlantic flight to Miami, a local flight to San Juan, a taxi ride to the port, and a boat trip out to the eco-resort on Mosquito Island. Does it matter if the air-conditioner is wind-powered? Slightly more environmentally friendly than trying to sell rich Russians a few minute trip into space? Virgin Galactic. Probably.

Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with a luxury resort on a private Island in the Caribbean. Just don’t tell me you are doing the planet a favor.

Comments welcome

The listing boasts of Empire State Building views and a roof-top deck. It also touts a top-of-the-line kitchen, high ceilings, and plenty of storage in the master bedroom closet.

From what we can see in the (tiny) pics, the kitchen appears to have stainless-steel appliances - and possibly a stainless sink, too. The bathroom has a nice, large shower. It’s hard to tell if the soaking tub is also nice and large, but one would hope so. But in 1,200 square-feet, we doubt it.

Photo credit luthor522

The Cook Islands are self-governing but still use the New Zealand dollar as their currency. Rarotonga is the capital and the only entry point for international flights. The local language is Cook Islands Maori but most people speak English and you will have no problems being understood. The islands and small and the public transport is limited so visitors often hire cars or motor scooters to get around. Unlike the rest of the world, Cook Islands don’t recognise international drivers licences preferring to extract $10 from tourists to acquire a local licence (good for a year). If you are planning on visiting Rarotonga after Aiutaki make sure you get your licence on Aiutaki: not only is cheaper there: but also the queue is shorter and the licence is still valid for rest of the Cook Islands including Rarotonga.

The Cook Islands have been described as being like Hawaii before it was “discovered”. The islands still stop on a Sunday as everyone goes to church: word to the wise don’t expect to make transport connections on a Sunday! Laid back and friendly the locals are not yet completely cynical about the tourists who show up and will treat you like family if you make an effort. The only real danger on the islands is falling coconuts: really! Don’t go to sleep under a coconut tree: the ripe fruit do fall and have been known to kill the unlucky.

Most people come to the Cook Islands and particularly to Aitutaki to do, well very little really. There are however some more energetic options available. Scuba diving is popular and spectacular: snorkelling gear is all you really need to appreciate the lagoon’s plentiful tropical fish and coral. Fishing is also an option with big game fishing in the open ocean of fly fishing in the lagoon. Make sure you try out an “Island Night” which involves a huge feast accompanied by lots of dancing and singing. Aiutaki even boasts a nine-hole golf course: don’t expect world class on this one though!

Situated in the Cook Islands Aiutaki Island is a perfect coral atoll and on that lagoon you can now stay at the luxurious Aitukai Lagoon Resort and Spa Now you can also stay at Aitutaki’s only luxury private pool villa – on your own charming private isle, Motu Akitua! The secluded Villa is a two minute journey by private ferry from the rest of the lagoon. restaurants and other facilities. What a perfect romantic location your own private island in the world’s most beautiful lagoon.

This new house, at about 3,700 square feet seems, well, a little small for the Oklahoma native. His house near Owasso sits on 2,400 acres and looks like a village. But the house in Malibu has something the Owasso house doesn’t: a half acre and Pacific Ocean beach access.

Pictures show a nice little patio in the back of the new home, with plenty of yard for Brooks’ rugrats to play in. The master bedroom has two sets of french doors that open onto part of the patio. With lots of light and vaulted ceilings, the master suite has a nice feeling of space. We like, except for the 4-poster bed. (Not a fan.)

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When you get to the living room (or maybe it’s a den), though, you can start to see the house’s age. It was built in 1958. Although the brick fireplace and built-in sideboard are nice enough, they look a bit dated. Or maybe it’s the couch, chairs, and coffee table that add to the dated look.

The kitchen, on the other hand, looks like it has been redone. The high windows and skylight bring in a lot of natural light. The countertops, island, and 6-burner stove make us drool just a tiny bit. And we even like the old-style cabinet on the back wall of the kitchen. Gives it almost a country feel. The dining room has three sets of french doors that open onto the patio. Again, lots of light really keeps this room from being drab and too beige.

The second living room - or whatever it is -also has the high windows for plenty of light. We’re not so sure about the tile, though. We’d prefer the wood floors of the master suite. At least it’s much less out-of-style than the other living room was.

Even if you’re not a fan of country music, you’ve probably heard of Brooks. He’s the top-selling solo artist of the 20th century. His free concert in Central Park in 1997 was reportedly one of the most well-attended Central Park concerts ever. Many of his albums went platinum multiple times.

Brooks divorced his wife, Sandra, in 2001. After that quieted down, he started dating Yearwood. There had been rumors of an affair for years, but both deny it. Even if there was no affair, you could tell Brooks felt something for Yearwood just based on the way he talked about her in interviews. He had nothing but high praise and a good dose of affection for her. They married in 2005.

Kanakia Spaces is well known around the country for its strategic, stylized construction plans. Kanakia has consistently selected accessible locations which ensure no inconvenience for flat buyers, and has provided comfortable luxury lifestyles of international quality. Before any construction, the group ensures the area’s proximity to the railway station, hospitals, entertainment complexes, schools and colleges. It is known for making the most of construction space.

Kanakia’s Eternity Row Houses in Thane west is a design of 21 two storey row houses, nestled in Thane’s sprawling natural expanse. Each spacious row house has its own garden space and is part of the combined space which boasts of a children’s garden, a walking track and a swimming pool, all among lush green lawns. The Eternity towers, located in the same area, too offer a complete lifestyle to residents. The entire complex consisting of the 21 row houses, 4 towers and 3 buildings, caters in itself to every urban need.

Kandivili and Borivili too have received a completely new look too, thanks to Kanakia Spaces. Aangan, the Challenger Towers, Sanskruti, Sky High and Sky Walk in Kandivili, have made this suburb one of the best developed and comfortable. All these complexes are like a world within a world: cozy enclaves in the city.

Bluebell, Country Park, Orchid, and the Discovery in Borivili too are some of the most cutting-edge constructions around Mumbai. They are located in some of Borivili’s most scenic locations.
Today Kanakia Spaces has several upcoming projects not only in Mumbai, but other parts of the country as well. Their luxury apartments have proven to be a cut above the rest

The LA Times‘ Ann Brenoff broke the story Sunday. MacDonald reportedly paid $1.8 for the 2000-square-foot home with 14-foot ceilings and two terraces.

The high ceilings certainly make this place seem open and airy - the best we can tell from the pics. The place boasts lots of windows, bringing in a ton of natural light. We’re not a fan of stark white walls, but it does lend to the bright feel of the loft.

We were hoping that Hilton & Hyland would feature a few more pics than this so we can get a feel for the place. But the details just aren’t there like we’d prefer.

Looks like MacDonald has done a lot of voice over work since his SNL days. He’s voiced everything from Death on Family Guy to animals in Dr. Doolittle.

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Luxury hotels in traditional city locations

A good luxury hotel is a destination in itself. Traditionally deluxe hotels were in the centres of the great cities of the world: London had the Savoy and New York the Waldorf Astoria. In fact these beautiful old hotels are wonderful pieces of history as well as still delivering 5 star service. These hotels developed for needs of visiting business men and the well-off travelling public. Traditional luxury hotels are usually found in the historic heart of their cities: the Waldorf Astoria has a enviable location in the heart of Manhattan.

New Money; New Luxury Hotels

Of course New York and London don’t rule the world commercially as they once did. New wealth and new money has seen news centres of commerce develop who also of course need their luxury hotels.

Dubai boasts the world’s first 7 star hotel, the Burj Al Arab . To be honest though any hotel which wants to stand out has to be extraordinary in this tiny country. There are more 5 star hotels in Dubai than you could reasonably need in a year. The Burj Al Arab does stand out though: it is extraordinary from its submarine restaurant to its unique location on an island out in the gulf so you can watch the lights of Dubai over drinks on the top floor bar. All rooms are suites and come complete with butler service.

Even business orientated luxury hotels do not ignore the leisure market. That market demands many different services but luxury spas are probably the biggest story of the last few years. We have rediscovered what the Romans always knew: spas are the best thing to recharge and revitalize yourself. Plunge pools, water treatments, mud packs and massages: no self-respecting 5 star hotel would be without them.

These days too luxury hotels need to please both the business and leisure market. As the leisure industry has become more and more discerning then these premier hotels have become as well known for their restaurants and bars as for their room service and meeting facilities.

Luxury hotels in exotic developing tourist destinations

The baby boomers are driving the demand for comfortable and luxurious accommodation in countries the may have visited as backpackers twenty years ago. This has seen the rise of new, attractive 5 star accommodation in countries which generally lack decent 3 star hotels.

If you want to visit somewhere new rather than the same old, same old Caribbean island or Swiss ski resorts for your next overseas adventure why not check out some of the newer tourist hot spots. The good news is now you can

Angkor Wat, in Cambodia is surely one of the most impressive sets of ruins anywhere. Unfortunately many of the local hotels give the impression that they gave up maintenance about the same time as the fall of Angkor, in the 12^th century. The solution: is called the Hotel de la Paiz, Siem Reap a beautiful five star hotel which is a centre of calm, efficient and luxurious service. With great restaurants and a spa: you really only have to commute to the Angkor Wat site and the airport, although located in Siem Reap, Hotel de la Paix is not of Siem Reap!

Bhutan has been an exclusive destination for many years. The reclusive regime of the tiny Himalayan country saw the negative effects of mass tourism in neighbouring India and decided to charge tourists a US$200/day minimum to keep the backpackers out. However visitors weren’t getting five star luxury for the price as the country really didn’t have any hotels that matched the quality of the scenery. This is no longer the case with the Taj Group opening the country’s first 5 star hotel the Taj Tashi, Thimphu in the capital. The 66 room hotel is built in the style of the Buddhist monastries and offers spectacular views over the city and the Himalayas. All the beauty of Bhutan but now also every modern comfort and facility, include a spa and conference facilities and multi-cuisine dining.

Luxury Camping Options

Some countries are so remote and so beautiful that they are worth significant effort to get to. Unfortunately in most cases once you arrived you were usually pitching your tent to spend the night. Australia is one such country: the land is beautiful beyond adjectives but remote in terms which it is hard to describe to a European or American. Most Australians haven’t seen the beauty of Western Australia’s Kimberley region but now you can: and in comfort too. Over 250km north of Kununurra on the north-west corner of Australia is the aptly named Faraway Bay, The Bush Camp. Faraway Bay is truly is about as isolated as you can be and not be in the middle of the ocean. Located on the Timor sea with access only by sea or air right in the heart of the spectacular Kimberley’s Faraway really is a sophisticated bush camp which caters for a maximum of 12 guests. Don’ t come expecting wall-to-wall marble: all materials had to be shipped in but the “camp” is very comfortable, the individual secluded rooms and outdoor showers, with solar hot water and a natural spring fed pool rather than an artificial swimming pool.

For another interesting option in Australia’s outback check out Queensland’s Wrotham Park Lodge

So luxury hotels have developed and expanded in the last few decades: we all want to experience something a little different: getting away from it all has become more and more important and the luxury hotel industry has developed some wonderful options for the adventurous luxury traveller!

]]> http://blog.luxuryproperty.com/luxury-hotels-new-luxury-destinations/feed/ http://blog.luxuryproperty.com/tiger-woods-golf-development-in-dubai-becomes-nursery/ http://blog.luxuryproperty.com/tiger-woods-golf-development-in-dubai-becomes-nursery/#comments Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:52:30 +0000 Mark Knowles http://blog.luxuryproperty.com/?p=582 If any more proof was needed that you can do anything with enough money, the latest news from Dubai regarding the Tiger Woods Golf development should clinch it. The Tiger Woods Dubai, a residential golf course development at Dubailand, is now also planned to become the country’s largest nursery.

An eighty-hectare nursery with more than 30,000 trees and shrubs which will be transplanted across the development in several phases. After the Tiger Woods Dubai development has been finished, there are now plans to expand the nursery by another 20 hectares to cater to Dubailand project.

Tiger Woods Dubai will include “Al Ruwaya” - a Tiger Woods designed golf course, a golf academy, a clubhouse, a seven-star boutique hotel, one hundred villas, including twenty-two “palaces” (trying not to snicker), seventy-five mansions and a community retail area. The development will have 30,000 fully developed trees, which are being imported from Thailand, Australia, South Africa, the US, India and Saudi Arabia.

The trees, all around 40 feet tall, are some of the tallest ever imported into the UAE. Prominent species include Siris Tree (Albizia lebbeck), Golden Flame (Peltophorum pterocarpum), Golden Shower (Cassia fistula) and River Bush Willow (Combretum erythrophyllum), but I have to wonder – if these trees cannot grow here naturally, how on earth do they expect them to survive after being imported. And has any one considered the possible environmental implications of importing this many non-native trees and shrubs? I have two words

Rabbits - Australia

And the last time I checked a “Nursery,” was a place where you grew young things rather than imported adults for storage and later transplanting so this is a bit of a misnomer.

The cost of importing the trees and shrubs and developing the nursery is expected to be over $20 million. Approximately 11,000 of the 30,000 mature trees will be used in Al Ruwaya itself, while the remaining will be replanted all across the development. Currently the plan is to bring in about 480,000 shrubs as well.

The shipping cost of each container will be about $2,500. “At present we have shipped about 10 containers. There will be 25 containers coming every week for the next three to four months. About 800 containers of trees and shrubs would be shipped into the UAE for use at the golf course alone,” said Abdhulla Al Gurg, the project’s director.

“Al Ruwaya, a 7,700 yard, par 72 championship-quality course has been designed to include dramatic elevation, lush landscaping, stunning water features and an overall design program, which will challenge and entertain golfers,” he said.

The turf for the golf course was ordered from Georgia, in the United States. “It is a very special type of grass and is superior to any other type on earth. The species is the same that Tiger has recommended. It has been specifically selected to create the playing condition in the golf course and for the way he wants the ball to bounce,” said Al Gurg. “The turf was flown in temperature-controlled containers. It is a premium turf that can withstand the heat. With the right amount of sand, nutrients and water, the turf will be perfectly fine,” he said.

Over 10 hectares of sprigs for the turf have been planted at the nursery and will be ready for harvest by mid August. The grass takes 10 weeks to grow and the schedule is to grass three holes at a time

A $25 million reverse osmosis (RO) plant, to be constructed and operated by the developer will be installed on site to purify 5,000 cubic meters a day of treated sewage effluent water to specified standards. An network of pipeline was laid to fetch water into the development from almost 18km away. The course would require at least 13,000 cubic meters of water to irrigate.

A special team of engineers from Landscape Unlimited are working on the shaping of the golf course. “They have worked on about 800 courses and have been nominated by Woods,” said Al Gurg. One of the hindrances he said had been the shortage of sand. “We are actually running out of sand within the development. But we have the luxury of having unlimited amount of sand from the neighboring areas. We need extra sand to create features, structures and elevation,” he said.

Excavation work for the six-meter deep lakes and the foundation of the club house is in progress. Nearly 31,000 cubic meters of cut-and-fill per day is in progress at the golf course area. The design for six of the 18 holes has also been simultaneously accomplished, with concepts explored for remaining holes.

Currently earth works are in progress and the lakes are being excavated. For two months every Wednesday dynamites were used to excavate six meters deep. The last blast is tomorrow. “The deeper the lakes the more aesthetically real and hygienic they will be. About 7.5m sqft of lakes will be created, all of which will be interconnected. Water for the lakes will be sourced from RO plant,” he said.

The power for the golf course will be supplied from a substation where work has started and is scheduled to be completed in 12 months. Work on the eight and half-km ring road the boulevard that will link the hotel and all the club house, has also begun. More than 300 trucks operate daily and work is being done round the clock to ensure completion.

Environmental disaster waiting to happen or forward-thinking, Leonardo Da Vinci-like vision?

Comments welcome.