VICARIOUS | Turn-key Tourist

Story | Jeff voth

Sea Cliff Bridge in NSW, Australia 34.2550° S, 150.9733° e

David Wimble

Originally built as a private home, four Neapolitan brothers, the Marchese, Aldo, Paolo, Anna and Franco Sersale have turned Le Sirenuse into one of Italy’s most stylish and sought after vacation destinations. The 58-room seaside luxury hotel is situated in Positano, a cliffside village on southern Italy’s famed Amalfi Coast. A 50 km drive from Naples, this is the land of Oz for those who love to drive and there is no better place to recharge than Le Sirenuse.

The view from most rooms is towards the bay. Stylish and comfy, room sizes range from the Inner Courtyard at 280 sq. ft to the Two Bedroom Suite Seaview at a grand 1,184 sq. ft that features a separate living room and three bathrooms. Many of the rooms highlight balconies, the siren call of the sea being hard to resist, especially with morning coffee served in the crisp, salty air. Room décor highlights whitewashed walls, vaulted ceilings and tile floors.

Relax by the pool surrounded by lemon trees, lounge chairs and brilliant sunshine. Be sure to sneak a peek as to who might be lounging beside you, this is a favourite location for Hollywood’s elite. The GAR AULENTI designed Le Sirenuse Spa offers a broad range of massage therapy and treatments, as well as sauna, ice room and granite steam bath. Dining takes place at the Michelin-starred La Sponda Restaurant, under the watchful eye of Chef Gennaro Russo. A total of 400 candles add ambience to what is sure to be an unforgettable dining and relaxation experience.

Address: Via Cristoforo Colombo, 30, 84017 Positano SA, Italy Website: www.sirenuse.en

The name says it all. Any James Bond fan worth their salt knows that GoldenEye, Jamaica is the setting in which Ian Lancaster Fleming wrote his 13 novels starring the famed secret agent 007. Fast-forward from 1946 when British Commander Fleming first discovered the original 15 acres to today and the former residence has become one of the most celebrated Caribbean retreats for stars, honeymooners and vacationers from around the world, all under the watchful eye of current owner and Island Records founder Chris Blackwell.

To say there are “rooms” in which to stay at GoldenEye is a disservice to the heritage of the property and the vision of Mr. Blackwell. The Originals are just what they sound like, the first rooms built for guests starting in the 1970’s. Strangeways is the largest, a 3-bedroom villa located on the top of a bluff on a cliff with far-reaching views of the ocean below. It’s name is inspired by the strange and ethereal experiences Jamaica is famous for. Spanish Elm and Honey Chile are one-bedroom villas with a storied past. Beach and Lagoon Villas, Lagoon Cottages and Beach Huts that are raised 10 ft off the ground offer a more traditional, but uncommon island stay, compared to today’s more typical multi-room mansions. The newly designed Gazebo restaurant is also built in a treehouse style. It’s the place to watch the sunset all while sipping on Blackwell Rum or dining on international fare. Casual food is served at various venues including the Bizot Bar and Bamboo Bar, or you can opt for in-room or a unique beach dining experience. As you would expect, watersports of all kinds are available including sea kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, sailing, snorkeling and Jamaica’s largest swimming pool at 250 metres.

Address: Oracabessa Bay, St. Mary, Jamaica Website: www.goldeneye.com

If your idea of a perfect stay is to enjoy the finest wine and 5-star accommodations in a Romanesque-style monastery first constructed in the 12th Century, look no further than Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine on the banks of the Douro River in Spain. A concerted effort by the hotel owners, local municipalities and the Monastery of Retuerta have delivered the perfect blend of centuries old architecture with new, 21st Century accommodations and getaway opportunities.

Simplicity is the tonic for a restful stay, but there is no compromise when it comes to modern day amenities and activities available. Vineyards surround the property, embracing guests in an ocean of wine growing fields and elegance.

A total of 27 double rooms and 3 suites are located in the former hostelry of the monastery. Eight of the double rooms are located in the original stables and offer direct access to the Wellness and Spa Center. Double Classic rooms start at 344 sq. ft and feature muted plaster walls, oak floors and enough tech to meet today’s need for connectivity. At the top of the list, the two-bedroom and master suites provide 1,076 sq. ft of luxury with a similar flare. There are four dining opportunities at Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine, including the Michelin-starred Refectorio restaurant. It offers several unique menu options as well as two special tasting menus for discerning guests to enjoy. Vinoteca is designed as a more casual dining experience, the Cloister Garden serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in an intimate outdoor setting and the Pool Bar features a BBQ menu with poolside fare. A full range of spa treatments are available onsite at Santuario LeDomaine, wine tours of the property and surrounding area are a must and no trip to Spain would be complete without a country drive and picnic offered as part of the MINI Cabrio Experience package.

Address: 47340 Sardón de Duero, Valladolid, Spain Website: www.abadia-retuerta.com

The name Madagascar conjures up images of white sand beaches that stretch for miles, sentinel baobab trees reaching skyward and yelloweyed Lemurs scurrying through the forest. Located 400 km’s off the coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, continue on a little further east and you will discover what many well-travelled beach lovers and adventure seekers say is the finest island destination on planet earth- Mauritius.

The One&Only Le Saint Géran is situated at the northern tip of the Belle Mare coast. Surrounded by coral reefs and white sand, temperatures average between 31°-33° C during the year. A top golf destination with 10 unique courses available on the island, the possibility for action is equal to the opportunity to simply grab a towel and head for the beach. A total of 142 rooms and suites at the One&Only Le Saint Géran have been fully refreshed to incorporate outward views of the Mauritian landscape. Colours and room accents are carefully chosen to enhance the guest experience with disappearing folding doors, island-inspired colours, marble bathroom floors and comfy, natural wood and fabric furniture. Guests staying in suites enjoy 24-hour butler service. PRIME steakhouse serves the finest Australian Angus Wagyu beef, seafood and locally-sourced produce in an open-cooking setting with wine displays. Tapasake offers lagoon seating and a Spanish tapas-Asian flavours infused dining menu. La Terrasse is the main restaurant for the hotel. Here chefs prepare their menu at open kitchen settings as guests enjoy the sounds of outdoor water features in newly-styled al fresco dining pavilions.

The One&Only Spa features several private rooms with outdoor showers and a full ESPA treatment menu. Three pools and a lagoon offer adults and families a wide range of recreational options. Of course, you can also create your own private getaway for the day on nearly 2 kms of beautiful sandy beaches. The choices are endless.

Address: Pointe de Flacq, Poste de Flacq 41521, Mauritius Website: www.oneandonlyresorts.com/one-and-only-le-saint-geran-mauritius

Tranquility is a word many would use to describe a stay at Asaba Ryokan located in the hot springs of Shuzenji in Japan. Here the sounds of a babbling stream and birds singing in the serene setting of a 510 year old Shuzenji temple, first built for the Soto Sect by Yakuro Yukitada Asaba, then passed on from generation to generation by the family, is a rest for the soul, mind and spirit.

At the top of the list for accommodations is the magnificent 2,368 sq. ft Villa Tenko. It offers discerning guests garden views, two bathrooms; one open air and a second one indoor, natural wood floors and the beauty of traditional Japanese-style unpretentious elegance. Additional room sizes include the 1,250 sq. ft Moegi facing the pond and Noh stage to the smaller, but no less tranquil, Ohitomo studio room at 355 sq. ft. A unique feature of this room is that there is no indoor bath, but rather access is provided for the more traditional Japanese large baths, family baths and outdoor baths available.

Cuisine is as much a part of the tranquility experience at Asaba Ryokan as the hotel itself. Menus are uniquely chosen for each season of the year, with delicacies from grilled sweetfish and sweetfish rice in midMay to hotpot sea eel and matsutake mushrooms in mid-Sept to late October. Specialties include Chargrilled Japanese black beef fillet and Matsuba crab (snow crab) available in season. After a one-of-a-kind dining experience, relax in the outdoor and indoor koyamaki timber mens and womens baths or private baths available for the whole family.

Address: 3450-1 Shuzenji, Izu-shi, Shizuoka 410-2416 Website: www.asaba-ryokan.com

A breath of fresh air may be the best way to describe this west coast South American resort. Situated in what the owners describe as the lungs of the earth, Mashpi Lodge is a steaming, breathing, living place that is full of life and unlike any other place in the world. The vision of Rogue Sevilla, a passionate environmentalist, successful businessman and the former mayor of Quito, the forest comes alive for guests of the lodge as they reside in its shadow and explore the strange sights and sounds on this 3,000 acre private reserve. Rooms are designed to immerse you in this forest setting, clouds floating in the treetops as you look outside from your soaker tub. At 495 sq. ft, Yaku Suites (Yaku means water in Kichwa) feature a king-size bed oozing rest and relaxation in a room devoid of clutter, but filled with natural elements including grey tile floors, wood accents, bamboo dividers and white-washed walls. The 366 sq. ft Wayra Rooms (Wayra means wind in Kichwa) offer a similar style with two full-size beds or one king-size and are perfect for families. The Restaurant is a two-story dining room that highlights floor-to-ceiling windows looking out on the jungle. Local ingredients are incorporated daily in the chef-prepared menu, offering guests the best in Ecuadorian cuisine. Mixologists prepare your favourite drinks, and a few new ones you have probably never tasted, at the nearby bar.

Relaxation continues at the Samay Wellness Center with a full service menu, open-air hot tub and outdoor yoga deck. A highlight for all guests is the opportunity to explore the surrounding forest with a personal guide on various trails with waterfalls, ponds and wildlife in abundance. Or you can swing from the trees on the family-size Dragonfly, two-person Sky Bike or Tarzan-style from a vine on the Jungle Swing Trail.

Address: Admin Office- Bolivar Oe6-41 Cuenca Quito, Ecuador Website: www.mashpilodge.com

Located on the southeastern coast in the state of Johor, this Malaysian crown jewel is set to bring a whole new level of style and sophistication to an already magnificent destination. The Romans coined this area, The Golden Chersonese (Golden Peninsula) as it is once thought to have been a gold mining region during ancient times. Today that gold has turned white and touches the ocean with some of the most spectacular beaches in the world.

The One&Only Desaru Coast will set a new standard of excellence for those seeking only the finest vacation getaway. This is the first Asian hotel for the brand, with easy access from Singapore Changi International Airport and Senai International Airport in Johor. Designed by the renowned architect firm, Kerry Hill Architects, it features 42 suites, 2 luxury suites and an exclusive 4-bedroom villa, as well as approximately 50 One&Only Private Homes available for purchase.

With a kilometre of beaches, an exclusive One&Only Spa by Chenot, 3 restaurants, a Beach Club, adults and kids activities available and a style and vibe unique to this brand, this is certain to be a must-stay destination for many years to come. The scheduled opening is Spring 2020.

After a complete renovation, the Fairmont Century Plaza will once again shine as a mid-century marvel under the bright lights of Tinsel Town. A total of 301 king rooms, 50 double rooms and 49 suites, plus 63 residences and two adjacent 46-story luxury residential towers, will set the stage for a grand re-opening in 2020.

The rooftop pool is certain to be a can’t miss destination for spotting Hollywood’s elite. So too will be the 14,000 sq. ft spa and 24 hr fitness center. A total of 94,000 sq. ft of boutique shopping and restaurants surround the building, offering a unique opportunity to enjoy fine dining, or savour a skillfully crafted cappuccino in this glamorous remake of Minoru Yamasaki’s iconic hotel.

AccorHotels has announced the inaugural Orient Express Hotel will open as part of the King Power Mahanakhon Building in Bangkok, Thailand. This will be the first in a series of unique hotels, ushering in a new era for the Orient Express brand while incorporating their legendary heritage of first-class travel by train. Visionary designer Tristan Auer has taken on the responsibility of exploring how best to incorporate the famed Art Deco stylings of the original Orient Express passenger trains into a modern-day high-rise hotel.

A total of 154 rooms integrate 9 suites and two penthouses. Two restaurants are featured in the hotel. Mott 32, named after the first Chinese convenience store at 32 Mott Street in New York and Mahanathi by David Thompson. The celebrated Chef Thompson is renowned for his award-winning restaurants around the world and in particular his personal take on Thai cuisine. The hotel is scheduled to open by the end of this year.