La Vie En Rose at Shangri-La Hotel, Paris

There really is no other city in the world that compares to the romance of Paris! I've been day dreaming about a return to the City of Lights .... quite simply, I fell in love with Paris and I've never been quite the same since our return from that dream holiday we took over a year ago. You can read all about our love affair with the city right here. So it was with great pleasure that I received word this morning from the exquisite Shangri-La Hotel in Paris announcing the new 'La Vie en Rose Dream Romance Package' , created with newlyweds, honeymooners and lovebirds of all ages in mind (that being me, and perhaps you too!). 

This is one for the blessed (deep pockets essential!). A special offer that combines the best Shangri-La Hotel, Paris has to offer with unique touches that will make a couple's trip to Paris the experience of a lifetime. Designed around a three-night stay and a series of custom-designed moments, La Vie en Rose includes:

- A romantic room or suite with views of the Eiffel Tower and personalised décor featuring flowers, champagne and celebration patisserie: upon arrival, guests are welcomed with signature haute couture pastries by Head Pastry Chef François Perret.

- A private, one-and-a-half-hour champagne cruise for two: guests may settle into an elegant and iconic Riva speedboat to admire the City of Light from an exceptional vantage point on the Seine. Champagne will be served throughout the trip to complement the moment.

- A three-and-a-half hour photo session with a professional photographer who will commemorate the visit with photographs taken at the guests' favourite Paris locations. If desired, a professional hairstylist and make-up artist can be on hand for a beauty session prior to the taking of photographs (a session lasts approximately one hour). A car service will be provided, and guests will receive the photos on a CD.

- Breakfast served in the guestroom or on the terrace every morning.

- A gourmet dinner for two especially composed by Executive Chef Philippe Labbé of L'Abeille, the hotel's Michelin-starred French gastronomic restaurant, and served on the guests' private terrace.

- A vintage-style Lomography camera loaned by the hotel for the length of stay can be used to capture memories and take amusing tinted photographs. The photos will be developed at the end of the guests' stay and compiled into a keepsake "carnet de voyage" scrapbook.

- Round-trip airport transfer with VIP greeting and a special Shangri-La Hotel, Paris signature gift upon arrival.

Sounds a little bit sublime, doesn't it? Well, it may not be on the cheap side, but no true Parisian chic escape is. And you really can't get better than a stay at the Shangri-La Paris - located in the 16th arrondissement, in what was originally the private home of Prince Roland Bonaparte, grand-nephew of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. Yep, you read that right ... like we said, sublime.

La Vie en Rose Dream Romance Package is available starting at AU$9,020 for a double room with a private terrace and view of the Eiffel Tower and AU$17,790 for a suite with a private terrace and Eiffel Tower view. The package rates are based on a three-night double occupancy stay and include VAT, visitor taxes and service. 

A Thousand & Five Reasons to Follow Your Muse

Stay with Hotel Muse Bangkok from June 1^st – 31^st December 2012 and receive 1000 Thai Baht of “Muse Credits” each day to use in discovering this revolutionary and chic hotel and its seriously swoon worthy dining and entertainment venues. With your credits in hand, you can style yourself up and have a really fab night out or maybe a long and leisurely lunch - let your mood be your muse and make some romantic memories together!

Choose from the Medici Kitchen & Bar, simply Bangkok’s cutting edge Italian restaurant; The Speakeasy and Blind Pig, rooftop bar and cigar lounge; Su Tha Ros new-age Thai restaurant; Le Salon, Thailand’s first Johnnie Walker Blue Label corner, and Wet Bar, or lounge by the alfresco style pool bar.  

Hotel Muse Bangkok also presents a wealth of new ‘lifestyle freedom concepts’, including 24 Hours Flexi - check in at any time and check out 24 hours later; No Set Breakfast Time - enjoy a la carte breakfast, any time; 

Muse Personal Service - everyday necessities delivered at no extra cost - only pay the amount shown on the receipt; the General Manager’s Invitation - a chance to meet Alex and enjoy dinner as his invited guest; 

Free In-house Internet.  

For reservations or further details on the menu, head to the hotel's website,  or call Tel: +66 (0) 2 630 4000, or email H7174-RE@accor.com. 

A year-round Valentine's Indulgence Package at Hansar Samui

So it's common knowledge we adore the island of Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand. Perfect island bliss, with equally ideal luxury to suit. And with Valentine's Day coming up soon (for the hopeless romantics!), we're thinking this could be a winner. Hansar Samui have just announced some tempting packages for couples wanting a tropical Valentine's escape. Situated just 10 minutes from the Island’s International airport, Hansar Samui is located on the tropical stretch of golden sands and turquoise waters of Koh Samui’s up-market Bophut Bay, which offers a front seat to island life.  

Hansar Samui offers 74 luxurious, beachfront, spacious accommodations with unobstructed sea views from every room, and super size private balconies and oversize daybeds for outdoor living and entertaining.  Not too shabby surrounds for that indulgent retreat together!

Hansar Samui’s romantic Valentine Indulgence Package includes:

- Private round trip airport transfers

- 3 nights luxurious stay in a Sea view or Sea view XL 

- Hansar  signature cocktail upon arrival

- Local fruit selection upon arrival

- Daily a la carte breakfast 

- A romantic private dinner for 2 with a specialised menu prepared by Chef Stephen Dion (choice of Thai or western set menu) 

- A hands-on ‘Pamper your Partner’ massage lesson for couples including certification from our Spa Manager upon completion of the class.  

- A healing Reiki session accompanied by the soothing mystical sounds of Tibetan Bowls 

- A floral foot bath 

- A herbal steam 

- A warm relaxing romantic candlelit floral and milky white chocolate bath 

- A Chocolate Glow: The LUXSA’s Signature Massage – heaven in itself

- Blended herbal tea

- Brunch-in-bed, complete with Butler service

- Nightly turn down treat

- Early check-in/late check-out 

With prices starting from US$1,250 for the Sea View room and US$1,437 for the Sea View XL based on a three nights stay, you might like to put it on your wish list ... and leave it somewhere obvious for your other half to find! Hint hint ...
Oh, and Hansar Samui have even allowed you to extend this special offer, so it's Valentine's style romance all year round. Perfect!

Romance on the Reef at qualia this Valentines Day

It's never too early to start planning a extra special, romantic surprise for Valentine's Day. We heard about this amazing offer from the stunning qualia on Hamilton Island and simply had to share it with you - could there be a more spectacular location to make romantic memories together then right here, in one of the most beautiful locations in the world - sun-drenched Hamilton Island, on the Great Barrier Reef?! 

qualia resort has announced a special Valentine's package - and, whether it's used as a surprise mid-summer getaway, or given as a gift on 14 February that can be used year-round, the trip is sure to provide a welcome romantic retreat.

qualia, (pronounced kwah-lee ah) recently included in the UK Condé Nast Traveller Gold List, is located on the secluded northern-most point of Hamilton Island.  This stunningly beautiful luxury resort features 60 elegant one bedroom pavilions and a Beach house with postcard views of the blue green waters of the Coral Sea in the Whitsunday Islands.

With its sense of calm and sophisticated, yet casual style, qualia offers a private and relaxing experience where couples can be as active or relaxed as they wish.  As the main gateway for visiting the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island offers a full complement of recreational activities including a new Yacht Club, Golf Club and two spas.  

One of the highlights of the package is a one and half hour helicopter trip to Whitehaven Beach where the couple is "dropped" off for a romantic picnic lunch on the 7km stretch of white silica sand beach.

Priced from $4,218 AUD per pavilion* (twin share), the 'Romance on the Reef' package includes:

• 3 nights accommodation at qualia resort
• A la carte breakfast, dinner and non-alcoholic beverages consumed at qualia
• Whitehaven Beach by helicopter including a picnic and sparkling wine
• VIP Return Hamilton Island airport/marina to hotel transfers
• VIP chauffeur service around Hamilton Island
• A two-seater electric golf buggy for use on the Island
• Use of non-motorised watercraft
• Beach drop-offs to selected local beaches and surrounding islands
• Sunset cruise on the Coral Sea on the "Atomic" - qualia's luxury power boat

*This package is not available as a bed and breakfast option. Prices are based on twin share. The 'from price' above is for a Leeward pavilion. Valid for travel: 1 Apr 2011 - 31 Mar 2012. Prices are in AUD. For new rates from 1 Apr 2012 onwards, please view their website for more details. Blackout dates: Festive Season: 22 Dec 2011 - 4 Jan 2012 inclusive.

For more information or to make reservations, visit the qualia website, or contact the Luxury Specialist team.

Wolgan Valley luxury Summer retreat revealed

Amid 4,000 acres of Australian wilderness in the spectacular Greater Blue Mountains region, guests of the luxurious Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa can experience pure tranquillity this Summer with the resort's recently released Summer Temptation offer.

           

Valid from 6 January 2012 until 31 March 2012, the offer lets you experience a luxurious two nights in a double Heritage Suite at Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa this Summer, including gourmet breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, non-alcoholic beverages, a select range of local wines and beer with meals, private swimming pool, wireless internet and two on-site nature based activities per day for just $1,450 per person twin share, representing a saving of $500.

As part of this limited time offer, each guest will receive pre-dinner Summer inspired cocktails and canapés on one night during their stay; and a 25 per cent discount on all spa treatments and retail products at the luxurious Timeless Spa.

For guests staying two nights or more from Sunday to Thursday inclusive, a 60-minute spa treatment per person is also offered, representing an additional value of AUD $330 per couple.

Valid from 6 January 2012 until 31 March 2012, package rates are based on a minimum two nights stay. Other terms and conditions apply.

Nestled between two National Parks just three hours from Sydney, the international award-winning resort features 40 thoughtfully designed individual suites, each with its own private indoor-outdoor swimming pool.

Take advantage of the longer days of Summer and experience the wide range of nature-based activities offered such as horse riding, nature walks, mountain biking and our sunset 4WD wildlife tour. For those who prefer less action, there's plenty of reasons for relaxing at the Timeless Spa, or simply luxuriating in the privacy of your suite with its own swimming pool.

A 25-metre outdoor infinity swimming pool and adjoining Jacuzzi are also available to guests, with poolside service and lounge areas offering commanding views of the spectacular Wolgan Valley below.

To book, you just need to contact the Wolgan Valley Reservations team on 02 9290 9733 or email reservations@wolganvalley.com.

Valentine's Day Decisions

With January nearing to an end, it's time to turn thoughts to Valentine's Day. Dinner, chocolates, flowers - as nice as these all sound, I think I am in the mood for something a bit more special this year. What better excuse do you need to pack the bags, hit the road, and indulge in some romantic one-on-one time together. Now, the tough decision is choosing which of these fantastic VALENTINE'S special offers we'll take advantage of, as they all look super good. And, for the cherry on top - most of the packages include either romantic dinners, chocolates or flowers - or all three. How romantic! I reckon I'm going to surprise him with something special this year!