by Editor | Jan 19, 2009 | Accomodations, New Articles
Article and photo by Josette King
Wentworth Mansion front parlor
What could be more romantic than a visit to the great antebellum mansions of Charleston? A stay at the Wentworth Mansion! Built in 1885-1887 in a quiet residential neighborhood as the private home of Francis Silas Rogers, a wealthy industrialist with a family of 13, the magnificent four-story Second Empire-style pink brick manor features a Mansard roof topped by a glass cupola in the center of a circular roof deck. With its panoramic view of the city skyline, the cupola had been the scene of many a private celebration over the years, with one of the more recent ones happening on the evening of my arrival. I had gone up to the roof deck to enjoy the sunset. Meanwhile a few feet away a marriage proposal was being made, and accepted.
Behind the classic facade no detail had been overlooked to create interiors of unsurpassed opulence and comfort. The front entrance double-doors were a masterpiece of jewel-toned Tiffany stained glass. In every room, the marble fireplaces were hand-carved, the intricate mahogany woodwork polished to a discrete gloss. The double parlor chandeliers were custom made of Austrian crystal.
Wentworth Mansion sunroom
One century later, the present owners have meticulously returned the property to its original splendor (with the welcome addition of twenty-first century amenities such as central air conditioning and oversize whirlpool bathtubs). And the legendary southern hospitality of the staff, unfailingly attentive and courteous is still in evidence. Click here for more on how my romantic notions of the antebellum south came alive at the Wentworth Mansion.
by Editor | Dec 15, 2008 | Accomodations, Ecotourism, Luxury Travel, New Articles
A feisty junior elephant lets visitors know how he feels
A lion at Mashatu
Although many travelers think of the Botswana Delta, the salt pans or the Chobe area when contemplating a game viewing trip to Botswana, there is a little known area in southeastern of Botswana called the Tuli Block which is also worth a visit. Part of the attraction of that area, as with many parts of Botswana, is the possibility of seeing elephants roam freely in their natural habitat, unhindered (mostly) by the increasing land constraints that affect animal movement everywhere in Africa. The Tuli Block, near the Limpopo and Shashe rivers, shares borders with South Africa and Mozambique; this allows elephants to follow some of the seasonal patterns into wilderness areas many of their ancestors walked.
To reach Mashatu from South Africa it is necessary to cross over the Limpopo River in a basket and clear customs and immigration
Our team’s suite at Mashatu Main Camp
For travelers who like a dose of luxury with their game viewing, Mashatu Main Camp offers luxury Botswana style, including exclusive accommodations, Big Five game viewing and an opportunity to discover the remote reserve while sharing it with only 12 other guests in the main area and a few others in the reserve. All inclusive rates include dawn and dusk game drives, three buffet meals a day and suite accommodations.
In addition to sighting elephants and the attraction of and off the beaten location, magnificent star filled skies, optional elephant and predator educational drives with on site research staff, and volunteer opportunities are some of the attractions of this well managed property owned and run, in part, by the owners of the famous Mala Mala Reserve in the Sabi Sands Reserve near http://simonandbaker.com/kruger in South Africa. Click here to read about our Simon and Baker team’s impressions when they visited Mashatu Main Camp earlier this year.
by Editor | Dec 8, 2008 | Accomodations, Ecotourism, Luxury Travel, New Articles
The pool area at Singita Lebombo was spacious and attractive
The guest lounge
For most of its existence Kruger National Park, one of the largest and best known game viewing parks in the world, was limited to basic camp accommodations and day visits. Eventually, the park began allowing private companies to build accommodations and luxury lodges within the confines of the park. This has expanded the game viewing opportunities for visitors and multiplied manifold the income potential that helps sustain the park and its fauna and flora treasures for generations to come.
Our team’s suite at Singita Lebombo had a stunning view of the river
The most luxurious of the park’s lodges is also one of the most remote. Singita Lebombo Lodge, a Relais & Chateax property and part of the expanding Singita portfolio, is near the Mozambique border on Kruger’s eastern boundary. A Simon and Baker team visited the property in 2004 shortly after it was first opened and again earlier this year. They were impressed with Singita’s ability to offer exclusive luxury suite accommodations, stylish decor, game viewing and fine dining in a remote bush setting within the http://simonandbaker.com/kruger. Click here to read a dedicated article about Singita Lebombo.
by Editor | Dec 1, 2008 | Accomodations, Books, Ecotourism, Restaurants, Spas
Red, White and Drunk All Over
The holiday season is upon us. For many people it’s a time of stress as well as joy and togetherness. Part of the stress comes from gift giving. Here are some gift ideas including books, gourmet dinners and exotic trips, we hope will help you narrow your choices and relieve some of the stress.
In Red, White and Drunk All Over, Natalie MacLean shares her love of wine and insights from an international wine oriented journey of discovery. The paperback edition, published last year, is 304 pages long and an easy read. At $14.95 Red, White and Drunk All Over is kind on the pocket and the well written book may be a good stocking stuffer for wine newbies and wine aficionados alike.
Cooks and cooking amateurs may appreciate the wealth of information in The Spice and Herb Bible (Robert Rose, $27.95). The exhaustive 607-page tome by Ian Hemphill includes detailed information about, well, herbs and spices.
Naughty Paris A Lady’s Guide to the Sexy City
Naughty Paris A Lady’s Guide to the Sexy City is for women who want to discover another side of Paris. According to the author, the City of Love offers ample opportunities for locals and visitors to indulge in the pleasures of the senses and love. In the 296-page well researched paperback book, Kristen Loop shares some of her ideas, findings and suggestions about love, romance, sexy hotels, outings, shopping, beauty options, culture, dancing, and shows in the romantic city.
A server shaves truffle bits over a dish at Ledoyen
While we’re on the subject of Paris, are you a foodie, celebrating a special occasion or just plain love dining in Paris? Do you have a healthy budget? How about a few days enjoying the best in gourmet dining available in the City of Lights? Of course you can try a neighborhood bistro but if you’re going all the way to Paris you probably want to indulge. Alain Ducasse and his Paris team at the Plaza Athenee Hotel are well known for their over the top dining. If you can’t get a table there or would rather be a tad more modest, other top tier choices include the dining rooms of: vegetable guru Alain Passard at Arpepe; Christian Le Squer at Ledoyen near the Champs Elysees, Helene Darroze at her restaurant in the Latin Quarter; Pierre Gagnaire’s Le Balzac; Pascal Barbot at L’Astrance, in the ritzy 16 arrondisement; Guy Martin’s historic Le Grand Vefour; and Guy Savoy at his eponymous establishment.
Dusk in Santa Fe
If North America is where you want to be on your next vacation, consider the Canadian Yukon, one of the last vast expanses of wilderness, for next summer; or one of the saints: San Diego and San Francisco in California or Santa Fe, New Mexico. Each one has its own charm. San Francisco, the most famous of the three, and the nearby wine country offer many options, accommodations, food and wine attractions within a short drive. San Diego, much further south and closer to the United States-Mexico border, is large and diverse with upscale and quaint seaside towns like La Jolla. Finally, Santa Fe, is a magnet for Pueblo style architecture and museum and art gallery lovers.
Male and female leopards “flirt” at Londolozi Tree Camp in South Africa
Do you long for something with a little more zest and adventure? If you are itching to travel, have the desire to see beautiful animals in their natural habitat, the patience to fly more than eight hours, and can afford world class accommodations, or as close to that as it gets in some remote areas, consider a safari trip to Africa. There are plentiful choices of destinations, properties, and game viewing options.
Many travelers in search of luxury lodge accommodations with gourmet dining, spa services and outstanding game viewing mention the Sabi Sand Reserve and the http://simonandbaker.com/kruger area in South Africa as favorites. Sabi Sand Reserve is home to Ivory Lodge and 1933 in Lion Sands, Tree Camp in Londolozi, Mala Mala Main Camp and Rattray’s in the Mala Mala Reserve, and Earth Lodge and Selati Camp in the Sabi Sabi Reserve. For a relaxing spa oriented visit our team liked the Cybele Forest Lodge and Health Spa near Kruger. The Outpost in the northern reaches of the park near the border with Zimbabwe offers game viewing in a serene off the beaten path setting.
Those seeking a wilder experience and willing to rough it, fly baby planes, stay in luxury tents and eat more modest meals can opt for other important African game destinations such as Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia depending on their interests, time and budget preferences. Botswana is known for its upscale orientation, huge elephant population and the famous Okavango Delta. Earlier this year, one of our teams enjoyed a visit to Mashatu in the Tuli Block of Botswana.
Areas to consider if visiting Tanzania include the Ruaha National Park, Selou Game Reserve, and Grumeti Game Reserve (adjacent to the Serengeti National Park). Visitors to Zambia may want to include one or more properties in Lower Zambezi National Park, South Luangwa National Park and Victoria Falls in their itinerary.
Whatever you do, we wish you a wonderful holiday season!
Click here to buy
Red, White, and Drunk All Over: A Wine-Soaked Journey from Grape to Glass
Naughty Paris: A Lady’s Guide to the Sexy City
The Spice and Herb Bible
by Editor | Nov 17, 2008 | Accomodations, Ecotourism, Luxury Travel, New Articles
By Chester Godsy
Green Inn on the River from the outside
The lodge great room at Green Inn on the River
Our room at Green Inn on the River
During a two week trip to Canada this summer we spent a delightful three day break at the Green Inn on the River, a remote property located in the Canadian Yukon. We especially liked the opportunity to relax while enjoying a healthy organic lifestyle and excellent meals, hiking, canoeing as well as the company of our hosts and other travelers. Click here to read a dedicated article on Green Inn on the River.
by Editor | Nov 10, 2008 | Accomodations
A cozy room near the Ten Bompas bar
Dinner at Sides was savory and satisfying
The living area of our suite at Ten Bompas
This 10-suite hotel, originally a private home in a residential area of Johannesburg, remains a Simon & Baker favorite. One of our teams stayed at the property during a trip to South Africa earlier this year and found recent changes in management had little impact on the many positive features we like about the luxury boutique property. Notable changes include a new property manager, Andrew Paterson, and a new chef, Paul Barrett.
Since our first visit several years ago, Ten Bompas has stood out for its affable staff and personalized service, convenient location, spacious and well appointed suites, in house restaurant and wine cellars well stocked with premier South African wines. Click here to read our complete article about Ten Bompas Hotel.
