TIME TO FLY: FAMILIES, COUPLES AND FRIENDS
Time to Fly: Families, Couples and Friends - Luxury Travel Magazine
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Time to Fly | |||||
| Liz Schaffer and Kerry Widdup, Issue 45 – Summer 2011 | |||||
| (Freycinet, Tasmania, Bedarra, North Queensland, Paris, Sydney, Venice, Hamilton Island, Phuket, San Francisco, Tokyo) | |||||
| YOU’VE DONE THE FESTIVE SEASON REJOICING; NOW IT’S TIME TO RELAX AND REJUVENATE. LIZ SCHAFFER AND KERRY WIDDUP HAVE GATHERED SOME EXPERT GETAWAY SUGGESTIONS FOR FAMILIES, COUPLES AND FRIENDS. IT’S TIME TO FLY. | |||||
1. COUPLES | |||||
| SAFFIRE FREYCINCT Freycinet national Park is known for its dramatic peaks, eroded granite, sprawling white bays and azure water. But the idyllic Tasmanian hideaway is also home to Saffire, a couple-friendly retreat that takes full advantage of the region’s food, wine and jaw- dropping views. | |||||
| Couple Appeal | |||||
| Palate restaurant is a signature Saffire attraction. Here chef Hugh Whitehouse re-creates guest’s favourite dishes on request, offers up a multi- course degustation menu and shares his culinary secrets in intimate cooking master classes, however Safire attracts people other than just foodie- focused couples. With an optional all-inclusive tariff arrangement, couples can participate in a range of outdoor activities as part of their package. Highlights include boat trips to nearby Schouten Island onboard Saffire’s purpose-built, 12-metre rigid inflatable naiaD boat. If guests aren’t completely distracted by the surrounding national Park, an underwater camera will reveal kelp forests, seals, abalone and lobsters just beneath the surface. Those with a more adventurous streak can snorkel, dive, trek or mountain bike. For couples determined to unwind there’s always the mineral- based treatments at spa Saffire. Or the Wineglass to Wine Glass experience, where participants get to sip a glass of wine while overlooking the Freycinet Peninsula’s turquoise waters. | |||||
| Accommodation | |||||
| Set off by the pink-tinged Hazards mountains and surrounding mineral-rich beaches, Saffire is one of Australia’s leading luxury lodges. Its organic buildings, which include 20 accommodation suites, were created by architects Morris Nunn and associates and designed to mirror the surrounding environment. | |||||
| Rates | |||||
| Premium suites are a$2,250 per night and this rate includes breakfast, lunch, activities and a 120-minute spa treatment. The room itself has a private courtyard with plunge pool, dining room, double shower and bath. Room rates start at a$1,200 per night in a deluxe suite. | |||||
| www.saffire-freycinet.com.au | |||||
| Getting There | |||||
| Located on the edge of the Freycinet national Park near Coles Bay, Saffire is around 2.5 hours from Hobart. Private helicopter transfers from Hobart airport start at a$2,000 per transfer for up to three people, a chauffer driven car is around a$400 and a fixed wing plane is a$1,800 per transfer for up to five people. 2. COUPLES | |||||
| PARIS | |||||
| Few dispute that Paris deserves its title as the world’s most romantic city. For love-locked couples, it’s best explored by foot day or night, regardless of the season. Famous landmarks, quiet cafes and chic boutiques lie in wait around every corner. For love and luxury, Paris is the perfect destination. | |||||
| Couple Appeal | |||||
| While it may be covered in fleeting patches of snow and comes with atmospherically chilly mornings during January and February, Paris is almost tourist-free at this time of the year making it great for couples seeking an intimate, romantic escape. January and February days can be spent exploring French artists at the as government offices. Hôtel de Crillon is where couples head for a palace experience. With expansive marble halls, Louis XV decor, Baccarat crystal chandeliers, Aubusson tapestries and a host of bars and restaurants it’s not surprising the property has attracted everyone from Madonna to Yasser Arafat. | |||||
| Rates | |||||
| Room rates at Hôtel de Crillon start at c640 (around A$882) per night for a Superior Room. | |||||
| www.crillon.com | |||||
| Getting There | |||||
| Air France flies daily to Paris and economy fares start at around A$2,187 return. Business class fares are around A$6,658 return. 3. FRIENDS | |||||
| SYDNEY | |||||
| With its sun kissed beaches and postcard-perfect shoreline Sydney is a great destination for sea-loving visitors but this bustling Australian metropolis isn’t just about Bondi and the bridge. With warm summer temperatures from sunrise well into long evenings and the Sydney Festival in full swing throughout January, now is the time to fly (with a group of arts-loving friends in tow) to Sydney. | |||||
| Group Appeal | |||||
| Visitors can pass warm afternoons and early evenings (thanks to extended summer opening hours) viewing blockbuster exhibitions in the air conditioning of Sydney’s major art galleries. The Museum of Contemporary Art is showing Annie Leibovitz: A photographer’s life 1990 – 2005 and the Art Gallery of New South Wales is staging The First Emperor: China’s Entombed Warriers but the city’s main January draw card is the Sydney Festival. Program highlights include Paul Kelly’s The A to Z Shows and John Malkovich’s turn as a master scoundrel of seduction in The Giacomo Variations. A full program and tickets are available through: | |||||
| sydneyfestival.org.au/2011/ | |||||
| Where To Stay | |||||
| In the heart of Sydney overlooking The Rocks, The Observatory Hotel is known for its boutique atmosphere and high teas. The hotel’s Galileo Restaurant, headed by chef Masahiko Yomoda, specialises in French cuisine with an international twist and serves up meals in a tapestry-rich room reminiscent of a grand Parisian salon. The Observatory Suite is filled with custom-made furniture, an antique fireplace and oriental-style accessories. With interconnecting doors to deluxe rooms on either side (if needed) and a fully equipped kitchen this makes a great venue to host post-show drinks for your fellow travellers. | |||||
| Rates | |||||
| A night in the Observatory Suite will set you back A$2,515 (room only). Standard room rates start from A$315 for a Deluxe King. | |||||
| www.observatoryhotel.com.au | |||||
| Getting There | |||||
| Qantas flies direct to Sydney from most Australian cities and regional destinations. Airfares vary. 4. FRIENDS | |||||
| VENICE | |||||
| Even in the midst of a European winter Venice refuses to be anything but vibrant, opulent and mysterious and throughout January and February it’s all about la dolce vita and donning masks with friends. | |||||
| Group Appeal | |||||
| Starting on February 28, Carnivale takes over Venice’s backstreets, crowded squares and waterways. Resurrected in the 1970s, Carnivale marks the start of Lent and sees the entire city hide beneath ornate masks, lace and Renaissance costumes. Special events, all of which require costumes and a flair for the unconventional, include the Serenissima Grand Ball, Hot Chocolate in Costume and the Carnival Concert series. Earlier in the month curious youngsters can partake in La Biennale, the annual children’s festivals, while vino-toting adults watch the Witches Regatta, a costume race to the Rialto Bridge along the Grand Canal (January 6). | |||||
| Where To Stay | |||||
| Built in 1525 as the residence of the Doge of Venice, the Hotel Gritti Palace overlooks the Grand Canal (a must in Venice) and was described by American author Ernest Hemingway as “the best hotel in a city of great hotels.” The 16th century building has largely been preserved and it offers all the amenities and services associated with luxury travel. It houses Venetian antiques, gravity-defying glass light fixtures and a hand-painted grand piano. The 91 guest rooms are individually designed but the Square View Suite’s view of Santa Maria del Giglio Square is a stand out. The room is decorated with precious fabrics and ornate woodwork that accentuates the imperial-style high ceiling. | |||||
| Rates | |||||
| The Square View Suite is c1,520 per night (about A$2,069). A Double Deluxe Canal View is a less expensive option at c560 (about A$762). | |||||
| gritti.hotelinvenice.com | |||||
| Groups of friends wanting to stay together can find a variety of luxury apartments at the Italy Apartment. | |||||
| veniceapartment.com | |||||
| Getting There | |||||
| British Airways flies to Venice daily (via London) with return fares starting at around A$4,193 for economy. Business class fares are around A$13,597. | |||||
| SCHOOL’S OUT | |||||
| Schools are out for another month, and for those who haven’t yet booked a January holiday, here are five last-minute, accessible, family-friendly holiday breaks from island luxury, to tropical paradise, to exhilarating cities. 5. FAMILY | |||||
| YACHT CLUB VILLAS AND LUXURY HOLIDAY HOMES ON HAMILTON ISLAND | |||||
| Nestled in the gorgeous Whitsunday’s off the coast of Queensland, Hamilton Island’s blend of excitement and relaxation make it great for parents and children alike. For excitement there’s the newly opened golf course, resort pools, beaches, mini-golf, go-carting, water sports, tennis and fitness centre. For relaxation there’s the spa, the shops and restaurants on the waterfront. | |||||
| Kid Appeal | |||||
| The Clownfish Club on Hamilton Island runs kid-friendly activities for children as young as six weeks up until 14 years old and will tailor activities according to age. Private in-room babysitting can also be arranged and there are a range of strollers and prams available for hire. Additionally, Hamilton Island has a list of restaurants that participate in the Kids Eat Free program where children up to 12-years-old eat for free when dining with their parents. | |||||
| Where To Stay | |||||
| Hamilton Island’s newly opened Yacht Club Villas and the island’s Luxury Collection Holiday Homes are options for families looking for a style of accommodation other than resort. Varying in size and capacity, most of the luxury accommodations have large living areas and kitchens, ocean views and a private swimming pool and/or spa. | |||||
| Rates | |||||
| Hamilton Island Luxury Collection Holiday homes range from A$769 per night to A$1,600 per night. | |||||
| hihh.com.au | |||||
| hamiltonislandyachtclubvillas.com.au | |||||
| Getting There | |||||
| Virgin Blue flies direct to Hamilton Island and economy fares start at A$364 return. Premium economy fares start at A$1,398 return. 6. FAMILY | |||||
| JW MARRIOTT PHUKET RESORT AND SPA, THAILAND | |||||
| The JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa, with three swimming pools, is set on 27 acres of tropical gardens overlooking the Andaman Sea on Mai Khao Beach. The resort’s activities include tennis, golf, kayaking, windsurfing, diving and fishing trips, snorkeling and elephant treks. Guests have nine restaurants to choose from, including Italian, Thai, Japanese and grill cuisines. An award-winning spa and heath and fitness centre are among the facilities. | |||||
| Kid Appeal | |||||
| As well as participating in the resort’s activities, kids can spend time in a fully supervised program at the Kid’s Pavilion. Facilities include computers, large flat screens, a pool table and table tennis, cubby houses, climbing frames, learning toys and arts and crafts. | |||||
| Accommodation | |||||
| There are 265 guest rooms and 13 suites in the resort. All guest rooms have a balcony and indoor Sala (a traditional That-style raised area) with twin massage mats. The eight one-bedroom suites offer spacious terraces and views of the Andaman Sea and have the option of use of an additional adjacent deluxe room, making a two-bedroom suite. There are also two one-bedroom and one two-bedroom Oceanfront Pool suites that have direct access to the beach and private 18-metre infinity plunge pools. Rates The one bedroom pool suite costs THB48,000 (about A$1,650) per night while the two bedroom pool suite will set you back THB99,000 (about A$3,404) per night. Both prices include breakfast in the Marriott café. Guest rooms start from A$334 a night and one-bedroom suites start from A$622. | |||||
| jwmarriottphuket.com | |||||
| Getting There | |||||
| VAustralia flies direct from Brisbane and Melbourne to Phuket. Economy fares from Brisbane start at A$1,305 and business class fares start at A$3,196 return. The resort’s fleet of Mercedes sedans is available for transfers to and from Phuket airport. 7. FAMILY | |||||
| SAN FRANCISCO, USA | |||||
| Often rated as the number one city in America, San Francisco is an ideal family destination. With iconic landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Wharf and Union Square as well as world-renowned shopping and dining this city has something for everyone of every age. | |||||
| Kid Appeal | |||||
| The kids will love the street performers, shops and sea lions at pier 39 and riding the trams through the heart of the city. Alcatraz is a popular destination for children too, but buying tickets in advance is recommended to avoid the queues. They’ll also love San Francisco Zoo where they can see grizzly bears, polar bears and anacondas and participate in child-specific programs and activities. The Aquarium of the Bay is also popular as is Children’s Fairyland, an entertainment park on the other side of the Bay Bridge. | |||||
| Where To Stay | |||||
| The Ritz-Carlton’s sought after location on Nob Hill, just blocks from Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf, make it an ideal place to take the family. This five-star, five-diamond hotel recently underwent a US $12.5 million renovation and has two restaurants, three bars, a fitness centre, jacuzzi and indoor pool. The Ritz-Carlton also operates a Club Level on the top floors of the hotel which has a dedicated concierge, lounge, computer access and continuous food offered throughout the day, including breakfast. Childcare and babysitting are also available. | |||||
| Rates | |||||
| Standard guestrooms start at US $309 (about A$316) per night and Club Level guestrooms start at US $489 (about A$500) per night. One bedroom suites start at US $559 (about A$571) per night and at Club Level US $639 (about A$654) per night. The Presidential and Ritz Carlton Suites are US $6,000 (about A$6,138) per night. | |||||
| ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/SanFrancisco | |||||
| Getting There | |||||
| Qantas flies direct to San Francisco from Sydney (via Los Angeles) with economy fares from A$3,576 and A$15,288 business class return. 8. FAMILY | |||||
| TOKYO, JAPAN | |||||
| Bright lights, big city. A trip to Tokyo with a family is a great cultural experience for the kids and January is one of the best times to visit because the weather is usually sunny and dry. | |||||
| Kid Appeal | |||||
| Number one on the itinerary for the kids would have to be Tokyo Disneyland, modeled on the original Disneyland in California but with a slight Japanese twist. Other kid-friendly activities include the Monkey Park, just 50 minutes outside Tokyo at Mount Takao; the famous Japanese bullet trains (Shinkansen); the Tokyo Imax theatre where films are shown in 3-D; the Ueno Zoo, famous for its giant pandas and the Tokyo Tower, which includes the Tokyo Tower Wax Museum, Mysterious Walking Zone and the Trick Art Galley. | |||||
| Where To Stay | |||||
| The Shangri-La in central Tokyo has a location adjacent to Tokyo Station that’s difficult to beat. It means that getting around the city is a breeze and this is also where direct bullet train services connect to most areas of Japan. The hotel also has sweeping views of Tokyo Bay and the Imperial Palace and Gardens. Its 200 standard rooms are larger than most Tokyo hotel rooms and can accommodate two adults and two children under 12. It also has 31 Horizon Club rooms and six exclusive suites that are all located on the top floors of the hotel. The hotel has one Japanese and one Italian restaurant and offers baby-sitting services and childcare. | |||||
| Rates: | |||||
| Standard rooms start at Y47, 000 (about A$578); Horizon Club rooms are Y61,200 (about A$752) and Executive suites are Y168,000 (about A$2,065) per night. | |||||
| shangri-la.com/en/property/tokyo/shangrila | |||||
| Getting There: | |||||
| Qantas flies direct to Tokyo from A$2,017 economy return and A$5,239 business return. | |||||
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