The bedroom in a three level suite at the Residences at Twinpalms Phuket

A tasty and attractive appetizer

When one of our team members was in Phuket, Thailand recently she spent time at Twinpalms Phuket, a luxury adults oriented hotel on the west side of the popular island. She liked the ultra private and luxurious accommodations in the Residences building including a three level suite with a rooftop pool and a shared concierge.

The beach

Palm Spa at Twinpalms Phuket

Thinking of traveling to Phuket or just curious? Visit the Thailand page of Simon & Baker Travel Review to read a dedicated property profile about Twinpalms Phuket and Palm Spa, the property’s in house spa.

By Elena del Valle
Photos by Gary Cox

The Breakers Palm Beach

This family owned and family friendly resort in tony Palm Beach Island in Florida’s east coast made fans out of us. There are many reasons to like the 140-acre property such as its handsome Italian design interiors and pretty rooms, beachfront location, two 18-hole championship golf courses, ocean facing swimming pools, spacious spa, boutiques and multiple restaurants. Our favorites: the manicured look pervasive throughout the resort including uniformed staff and the high level of service, often friendly and helpful, wherever we went.

There were many comfortable areas to relax and enjoy the property

We enjoyed a midweek stay just as the season was closing and although the weather did not cooperate as much as we would have liked (there was a constant lifeguard red flag during our stay) we appreciated the calm environs. We particularly enjoyed massages at the resort spa, a sunset dinner at the The Flagler Steakhouse and a molecular gastronomy tasting menu dinner at L’Escalier, the resort’s gourmet restaurant.

Cuisine as art at L’Escalier

Another favorite was a day at Beach Bungalow 17, one of several day rental cabanas fronting the adult relaxation infinity pool and facing the beach beyond. The bungalow provided quiet space aside from the crowded pool area and the private area with a concierge made our time under the sun especially relaxing. The 150-square foot indoor area plus a segregated patio was stocked with some complimentary amenities and plenty of pool towels. For sun time the patio had three outdoor lounge chairs and an umbrella.

Beach Bungalow 17

Inside the open air space had a ceiling fan and a tower fan, lanai, armchair, rectangular wood table, private outdoor shower, water closet and sink, binoculars, house brand toiletries (body lotion, bathing gel, shampoo, conditioner, liquid soap), blow dryer, tissue paper, WiFi connection, LG flatscreen television with satellite connection, Zenith DVD player, fruit bowl, ice bucket and mini refrigerator stocked with house brand purified complimentary water. There were also four types sodas and snacks in our bungalow for purchase (Snickers, Skittles, Reese’s, M & M and PowerBar).

Our view of the pool and ocean beyond from inside the bungalow

Krissy, our Bungalo concierge, made sure we had everything we needed with a smile

Although the resort facilities and amenities were within easy reach it was nice to know we did not have to do anything or go anywhere if we did not care to. Even lunch was easy.

We selected Florida Fish Tacos, Turkey Club Wrap and a side order of Avocado Fries from the Ocean Grill menu in our bungalow and placed our order with Krissy, a uniformed concierge who checked on us regularly. Within minutes our food arrived. In case we were still peckish around 3:30 p.m. she brought a styrofoam plate of frozen grapes. We wrapped up our day feeling lazy and relaxed and ready for dinner at Echo, the resort’s offsite Asian eatery a short shuttle ride away in downtown Palm Beach. Click here to read about our experience at The Breakers Palm Beach, The Spa at The Breakers and L’Escalier.

The duck at Echo was served with flour wraps and crisp vegetables

Photos by Gary Cox

The distinctive rock Fungo is just offshore of Lacco Ameno

The ferry from Naples to Ischia

Earlier this year, one of our teams visited the island of Ischia near Naples best known for its thermal springs and spa facilities. While in Ischia, our team stayed at the well known Albergo della Regina Isabella in the tiny town of Lacco Ameno on the island’s northern coast. The seaside hotel had a large health spa and in house dining options including Ristorante Indaco, a gourmet restaurant (see A surprisingly delicious dinner at L’Albergo della Regina Isabella). Click here to read about their stay at Albergo della Regina Isabella and their spa treatments at Terme Della Regina Isabella, the hotel spa.

The Regina Isabella sits right on the water in Ischia

Chef Pasquale Padamaro, a native of Ischia

By Elena del Valle and photos by Gary Cox

The Fairlawns pool

One of the first things we noticed on arriving at the Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa in an upscale residential neighborhood of Johannesburg, South Africa was the scented saringa flowering tree at the entrance. Once cleared through the obligatory guarded gate we were surprised to find a quiet property dotted with manicured gardens. In addition to spacious and luxuriously appointed one-bedroom suites, the growing hotel (a new building was under construction) had meeting rooms, a work out area, a swimming pool, a restaurant and spa on site.

Reception and the restaurant were in a single story main building. Within a two-minute walk several separate two-story buildings housed the spa and fitness area and guest suites. After checking in we were led past the restaurant and central gardens to our respective suites within one of the two-story new looking buildings. Our ground floor one bedroom suites, suites 13 and 15 named for Emily Hobhouse and Nelson Mandela respectively, were spacious and handsomely decorated, each one with a different interior design style (during a second visit we stayed upstairs in the Oppenheimer Suite).

Living area of the Emily Hobhouse Suite

Living area of the Mandela Suite

The suites were well appointed including complimentary WiFi Internet access and spotlessly clean. My favorite, suite 15, was divided into three distinct areas, a living area, a sleeping area and a bathroom. Decorated in an Africa theme it had animal print accents and a comfy sofa facing a fireplace (underfloor heating kept my suite toasty too). For the media minded there were two television sets, including a large flat screen television and DVD player across from the king bed in the bedroom.

The Jacuzzi bathtub in the Mandela Suite

The bathroom too was spacious with marble counters and floors, twin sinks, shower, water closet with bidet, and Jacuzzi bathtub. Tall built-in closets with an ironing board and electronic safe took up one entire wall opposite the sinks.

Additional amenities included fresh flowers, complimentary fruit bowl, complimentary in room sherry, Irish Duke and Forsyth travel size toiletries (conditioning shampoo, shower gel, body lotion, nail kit, shower cap and soap) and, at turn down, a small bottle of water and a nougat. The ambiance was serene although there were meeting guests at elegant hotel, owned by John and Anna Thacker.

Inside the Fairlawns Spa

The spa building, across the lawn from our building, had a work out room accessible at guest convenience with the electronic room key. I was pleased to be the first to arrive, at 6 a.m., for an early work out although I was soon joined by others. The spa itself was mostly in an adjacent walled garden area next to, and separate from, the swimming pool. The shady spa garden was filled with private corners and treatment rooms. In spite of our arrival in the late afternoon (spa treatments were available until 5 p.m.) we were in time to enjoy side by side massages in one of the loveliest and largest treatment rooms in the far corner of the spa garden.

The breakfast buffet at the Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa

While were were there we sampled a couple of items from the room service menu and dined in the outdoor area of the restaurant. Mornings were my favorite meal time at the Fairlawns. There was an ample breakfast buffet with cereals, fruits (fresh and dried), cheeses, deli meats, cold fish, and varied delicious homemade pastries to compete with the made to order breakfast menu. Sitting in the restaurant patio under the shade of large umbrellas we enjoyed the placid view of the nearby pool and flower filled gardens. We look forward to revisiting the Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa, Alma Road, Morningside Manor, Ext. 6, Sandton, Johannesburg, fairlawn@fairlawns.co.za, +27 11 804 2540/1/2/3, http://www.fairlawns.co.za/

Article by Elena del Valle, photos by Amparo Cadavid

A hot air balloon near Sedona

Outdoor dining at L'Auberge de Sedona

The pool area at Sedona Rouge

Sedona, a small town in northern Arizona known mostly for its red rocks and energy centers or vortexes, proved to be as pretty as we had heard. Although it is a highly touristy area in the low summer season when we were there its natural charms easily outweighed the drawbacks of a tourism driven area.

When we were there it was quiet, serene, uncrowded and pretty. Its magnificent red rocks were reason enough to draw us there and its lovely setting, crime free and clean environs made fans of us eager to return. We liked the accommodations at L’Auberge de Sedona and Sedona Rouge.

A mermaid at Sedona Rouge

Guests at L'Aubege de Sedona were welcome at Amara Spa

On our way from Sedona to the Grand Canyon

Among our favorite activities were hiking the rocks, discovering the creeks, listening to flute players such as Jesee Kalu, a midday meal at the ChocolaTree (especially the guacamole), creek side dining at L’Auberge de Sedona restaurant, and early morning time at our L’Auberge de Sedona cottage outdoor deck.

We also enjoyed time at the Sedona Rouge Spa, a day long train ride to the Grand Canyon on the Grand Canyon Railway, a dosha type session by the Buddha Stupa, a dawn balloon ride with Northern Light Balloon Expeditions and a fun and thought provoking astronomy session with Dennis Young hosted by our hotel. Click here to read more about our visit to Sedona.

By Elena del Valle, photos by Gary Cox

Frankfurt was our gateway to Germany's Black Forest

Earlier this year, my husband and I had an opportunity to visit the famed Black Forest and nearby areas of southwestern Germany. We were pleased to discover several small family owned and managed hotels, part of the Romantik chain of 200 independently owned and managed hotels and restaurants in 11 European countries, offering comfortable and modern accommodations including some with spa facilities. We were especially delighted with the friendly and welcoming hosts and their staff, striking scenery and outstanding foodie havens we visited during our two-week drive through the countryside.

Although neither of us speaks German we had visited that European country in the past and were confident we would have a pleasant trip. In past trips to Germany most of the business people we encountered spoke some English so we were surprised to discover that once we veered off the urban core of Frankfurt, English was scarce. So we made do with our few phrases of German and many smiles. Almost without exception locals made us feel welcome with their warm and friendly attitude. Whether it was fellow guests, staff or strangers in public areas someone was always willing to listen to our broken German and communicate with us.

A quiet area at Bollant's Spa

Petit fours at Passione Rossa

After landing in Frankfurt and picking up our spiffy German rental car with heated seats (it was late winter/early spring and definitely cold) and global positioning system (GPS), we headed to the village of Bad Sobernheim where we spent two nights recovering from the jet lag and being pampered with good food and spa time at the Romantik Hotel BollAnt’s im Park, Bollant’s Spa at at BollAnt’s im Park Romantik Hotel and Vital Spa and Passione Rossa restaurant.

Jörg Glauben and Birgit Neumueller at Tschifflik restaurant

We also visited the Romantik Hotel Landschloss Fasanerie on the outskirts of the town of Zweibrucken near France. Once again we took advantage of the property’s spa services and sampled its outstanding local and continental cuisine. Before leaving we had a gourmet dinner at the well known Tschifflick.

The lobby at Residenz am See in Meersburg

A delicate fish course at Casala

Behind the scenes at Residenz am See

From there we headed south through snow covered mountains to Meersburg, a small and picturesque village with cobblestone streets on the shores of Lake Constance. We thoroughly enjoyed our brief stay in a penthouse suite at the Romantik Hotel Residenz am See, one of our favorite properties during the trip for sheer friendliness, a well appointed suite and delicious food. While we were there we attended a German pastry baking class in German. With the help of our small group of fellow students and the pastry chef’s interjections we learned a little and had a fun morning baking delicious regional and German treats. Meals at the hotel restaurants including dinner at Casala Restaurant, were outstanding!

The Romantik Hotel Sackmann Spa pool

One of the delicious dishes we tried at the Restaurant Schlossberg

From there we returned to the Black Forest to the Romantik Hotel Sackmann in the municipality of Baiersbronn. We especially liked the hotel’s riverside location, gourmet restaurant and fabulous spa facilities.

We would recommend the region to scenery, spa and gourmet food oriented friends and acquaintances willing to venture to areas where English is not commonly spoken. As an added bonus this part of Germany offered great value for money compared to urban areas in Europe.

By Elena del Valle and photos by Gary Cox

Sleeping area in our Villa Kennedy suite

One of three Rocco Forte German properties Villa Kennedy opened as a hotel in 2006 on the grounds of the former Villa Speyer, the home of a wealthy family dating back to 1904. Recently, the owners added three wings to the original historic building, updating and modernizing wherever possible and creating a square property around an inner courtyard with an attractive open terrace. According to a hotel spokesperson, while most Villa Kennedy guests are German many are also British and American visitors including celebrities, musicians and politicians. Most staff we encountered spoke some English.

We stayed in a Classic Suite with a Rocco Forte Suite Experience package (1,050 euros per night). Our 615 square foot vertically shaped courtyard facing room was on the second floor of the four floor luxury property. The 163 room (including 29 suites) business oriented hotel with a staff compliment of 170 and emphasis on security was named for John F. Kennedy who met with local politicians before his famous visit to Berlin.

Our suite, decorated in shades of sandstone, had a living area immediately past the entrance populated by wall facing desk, two-seat sofa, armchair, coffee chair, and  cabinet with a mini refrigerator and flat screen Phillips television. The sleeping area had five large windows from which we could see the courtyard, the windows of neighboring rooms across the square, and our immediate neighbor’s balcony. This meant it was filled with sunlight. It also gave us the impression the interior of the room could be seen from the rooms across the courtyard. As the sun set we closed our shades to maintain some privacy.

Living area in Villa Kennedy Suite

In addition to regular suite amenities like underfloor heating in the bathroom, cotton bathrobes and slippers, room temperature set at a maximum of 69 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius), choice of five types of pillow, Lino Vino white linen sheets and made in the U.S.A. Aromatherapy Associates toiletries; there were several additional amenities in our Rocco Forte Suite Experience package.

These included: high speed Internet access (we were surfing within minutes), movies, packing and unpacking service, a loaner mobile phone for complimentary local use, pre-programmed with area numbers as well as a direct line to reception and the concierge (the phone we were given was out of batteries and there was no back up phone available), in-suite check in and check-out (our check-in was at the front desk and when we departed we took advantage of the express check out option), in-suite breakfast option (we had breakfast in the dining room) and pressing service (the second time I called reception to request pressing pick up someone came by for my clothing. The two items I sent were pressed with alacrity and returned within the hour).

Jacuzzi at Villa Kennedy

Salient features of the child friendly property included high ceilings, a minimalist deluxe style, organic products, a restaurant and an in house spa with a 15 meter indoor swimming pool, eight treatment rooms, and a his and her saunas. We especially enjoyed an early morning swim in the cool waters of the swimming pool and the organically oriented yummy breakfast buffet with cooked to order hot dishes. A friendly Italian server looked after us during our weekend meal. Villa Kennedy, Kennedyalle 70 D-60596 Frankfurt am Main, +49 49 717 120, villakennedy.com and info.villakennedy@roccofortecollection.

Lions at Rattray's

Many travelers familiar with luxury safari lodges in South Africa know of or may have stayed at the Mala Mala Reserve, one of the oldest reserves within the larger Sabi Sand Reserve. The well known reserve fronts a fenceless portion of the Kruger National Park.

A vigilant kitty at Rattray's

Our team's suite at Rattray's

The family owned property offers accommodations for 54 guests in the Mala Mala Main Camp . Nearby there are exclusive luxury accommodations at Rattray’s, an eight suite fenced lodge for guests 16 and older with a fitness center and swimming pool. Click here to read about our team’s impressions during their most recent visit in a dedicated article about Rattray’s.

Article by Elena del Valle and photos by Gary Cox

The Onewellness Radisson Waterfront Spa reception

The pool area

During a recent stay in to Cape Town, South Africa, I tried Onejourney, the signature treatment at the OneWellness Spa at the Radisson SAS Hotel Waterfront (Beach Road, Granger Bay, Cape Town, +27 21 441 3331, www.onewellness.com). The spa, a few minutes drive from Cape Town’s main tourist area, was located in the lobby of the hotel. For visitors from other properties, there was a secure parking area near the hotel entrance.

Onejourney, designed to emphasize sensory stimulation through heat, ice, steam, hydrotherapy and light (chromo) therapy, involved sequential treatments in six stations for up to two people. The stations were Kneipp, Vichy with body exfoliation, Caldarium, Rock Sauna and Aroma Mist and quiet time in the Sleep Room.

My therapist

After introducing herself, Daniella Swanepoel, my friendly therapist, explained the process and accompanied me to the first station, telling me what the treatment was about and how long it would last. Mostly, she escorted me from station to station. She also did the exfoliation, brought replacement towels and slippers and answered questions.  While I enjoyed the stations and the overall experience, what was most appealing was the result. At the end, I felt distinctly relaxed and refreshed.

The OneWellness Spa at the Radisson SAS Hotel Waterfront was the flagship of the Onewellness chain of spas in South Africa owned by Queensgate Wellness Holdings. The Onewellness concept, developed by Rob Cowling, the company’s manager director, is to integrate fitness, spa and skincare services to produce holistic well being based on 10 elements: aesthetics, touch, integration, movement, waters, environment, nourshment, education, evaluation and prescription, and teamwork. It was selected 2008 Best Hotel Spa of the Year in the Fourth Annual Nouvelles Estetiques South Africa Spa Awards.

The courtyard at the Forest Health Spa at Cybele

The Forest Health Spa at Cybele is a short drive from the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport on the road to the Sabi Sand Reserve and near the famous Kruger National Park in South Africa. The spa is located within the Cybele Forest Lodge & Health Spa, a secluded “forest” Relais and Chateax property, a few miles off the main paved road.

The spa’s small reception area

Past the security guarded gate a small lovingly built spa within a luxury lodge property awaits visitors who plan ahead. Impromptu visits may be disappointing as the small spa seems to often be fully booked. When our team was most recently in the area they stopped at the lodge for two nights and dedicated half a day to couples treatments and spa indulgence.

The treatment room where we had our Clarins Relax Bath

Inside, the square shaped spa was quiet, offering guests seclusion and a menu of tempting treatment options including the nature oriented Clarins French product line. This was one of few spas in South Africa with Clarins products and Clarins trained therapists. Click here to read a dedicated article about the Forest Health Spa at Cybele.