France-based Sofitel hotels are generally known for their, naturally, French flair, but the luxurious brand’s Philadelphia property is adding a dash of English charm with its new London taxi service. For hire by hotel guests only, the iconic London taxi, imported directly from England, offers free rides around town and to/from the Philadelphia International Airport (a 20-minute drive) Mondays through Fridays between 7 and 9 A.M (reservations recommended). Booking the service any other time of day will cost you, depending on the duration of your ride, upwards of $25 for lifts within the city center and $45 to the airport. Not cheap for most chaps, but the five-seat, mini-bar laden cab makes for a bloody fun alternative to typical transportation, wouldn’t you say?

Few places in the world compare to Bora Bora – a quintessential tropical isle in French Polynesia showcasing white-sand beaches, flower-scented breezes, and idyllic coves. Since getting to paradise can be a lengthy affair (it’s eight hours by plane from Los Angeles to Tahiti, plus another hour to connect), why not treat yourself to an once-in-a-lifetime experience once you land? The Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa just unveiled brand-new over-the-water presidential villas that necessitate a splurge, if you’ve got the pocket change to spare. Read the rest of this post »

Gilt Groupe, a members-only site hocking the latest designer fashions at up to 70% off retail prices, is bringing its bargains to the world of luxury travel. Known for daily “flash-sales” on limited quantities of inventory ranging from coveted Marc Jacobs bags to gorgeous Oscar de la Renta gowns, Gilt is applying its successful fashion model to new sister site, Jetsetter. Launched September 30 in Beta form, Jetsetter features a swank layout of drool-worthy deals on high-end hotels, cruises, and tours at values not available to the mass market (typically 30-40% lower than standard rates). Read the rest of this post »

Until recently, most visitors to Jordan barreled through the country on day trips to historic Petra from Jerusalem. But a spate of new luxury resorts and sensory experiences—the likes of which Israel has yet to produce—now makes overnighting here a must.

The Evason Ma’In Hot Springs & Six Senses Spa (from $170/night) opened last February at the base of hot springs that, legend has it, King Herod once frequented. An hour’s drive southwest of Amman, the resort provides perks such as an alfresco movie theater, a clifftop restaurant overlooking the Dead Sea, and spa treatments using Dead Sea salt, local dates, and honey. Read the rest of this post »

Given that 16th-century Jesuit missionaries cultivated the first grapevines of Chile’s Colchagua Valley, it seems right to bunk up at one of their former haciendas when visiting the region. Such is the allure of Residencia Histórica de Marchihue (from $200/night), an 18th-century estate transformed by its new owners into a 22-room hotel.

Set in the small town of Marchihue, a 40-minute drive from the region’s hub of Santa Cruz, the Residencia feels utterly remote (especially when trying to find it after dark). Once there, guests will discover a serene little sanctum, guarded by towering eucalyptus, rose bushes, and fruit trees. From a large garden, the amiable, talented young chef Pablo Galvez culls many of his ingredients (the hotel raises hens, ducks, and chickens as well). Read the rest of this post »

Picture dropping in on the family home of Sir Winston Churchill, sitting beneath the famous apple tree at Sir Isaac Newton’s manor, or exploring the grand estates familiar from Harry Potter and Sense and Sensibility. The nonprofit National Trust, which preserves historic country homes and gardens across the United Kingdom, will allow you to do just that. Some homes can even be rented overnight, allowing any Anglophile to try the life of landed gentry.

New to the collection is the 17th-century, thatched Shedbush farmhouse in Dorset, which sleeps six and is near miles of breathtaking coastal walks. Also just added: a pair of Compton 19th-century stone farm cottages, each sleeping four, on the Isle of Wight; and Greenway, once the Devon holiday home of Agatha Christie and now accommodating 10 guests (with access to a private garden including a small heated pool and patio). Read the rest of this post »

The final post in a three-part series on “glamping” (glamorous camping).

It’s 11pm on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, Canada. As I soak in a hydrotherapy tub facing a glass-surface front overlooking the water, the light is slowly disappearing on the horizon beyond the Straight of Georgia. I’ve just had a superb dinner of locally sourced Pacific Northwest fare. After my luxurious soak, I’ll take a rainforest shower and then proceed to my king-size bed for a night of sweet sleep. Can life get any better, I wonder? I’m staying in one of the luxurious tenthouse suites at Rockwater Secret Cove Resort, located on a scenic stretch of the Pacific Coast. Read the rest of this post »

Part two in a three-part series on “glamping” (glamorous camping).

After two unforgettable nights of “glamping” at Tent City, one of two glamorous campsites at Paws Up Resort in Montana, I was going back to civilization. Or that’s what I thought. My home turned out to be just as remote, in an isolated forest on the resort’s 37,000 acres. In fact, when I arrived to William Clark, one of the ten new Wilderness Estates at Paws Up, I felt as far removed from the rest of the world as in my glam tent at Tent City. But the differences were huge – inside my stately residence for the night, I had WiFi, a surround-sound entertainment system, and five 42″ flat-screen TVs. There was even Nintendo Wii in the loft game room upstairs! Granted, I was still so far and remote that my cell phone wasn’t getting any reception. Not that it mattered much . . . Read the rest of this post »

Chalk it up to lingering Obamania: A visit to Washington, D.C. is an increasingly popular pilgrimage, especially for those looking for a vacation that packs a punch without pinching their wallet. Excellent public transport cuts on car rentals, most museums are free (you could spend a week in the Smithsonian alone), and thanks to government power brokers, dining options are superb and plentiful . . . and cocktail culture is thriving.

Now, thanks to a new promotion offered by Destination D.C. (the official D.C. tourism site) and Travel + Leisure, summertime in the nation’s capital is an even smarter choice. Book three or more nights with their Staying Power promotion and receive a free Flip Mino digital camcorder in addition to a 30% savings off the entire stay. Read the rest of this post »

Barbados bound? Guests of colonial-style Coral Reef Club and its neighboring sister property, The Sandpiper, can expect a fresh perk. Just unveiled in December 2008, the spa at this premier island resort is the newest addition to the island’s wide array of attractions. Conceived by British designer Helen Green, it seamlessly blends a contemporary look with classic island charm amidst twelve verdant acres. Facilities include individual treatment rooms with private gardens; a hydro-pool with shaded cabanas for post-treatment relaxation; an outdoor pavilion for couples; a thermal suite with an experience shower; and a soothing spa lounge. Read the rest of this post »