Luxury Travel Advisor - April 2008 - (Page 23)

The very new Mystique (www. mystique.gr), a member of Starwood’s Luxury Collection in Santorini, was created for your romantically inclined clients; each of the 18 suites has the same view of the Aegean Sea. All of them face the sunset. If you have A-list celebrities or those who just want to be alone and seek security and privacy, book them into one of the two aptly named Air of Secrecy and Air of Mystery stand-alone villas, which have panoramic terraces with Jacuzzis, separate living and dining areas and a private spa room, to boot. Private butler service is available on request. Bonus: Giving Mystique even more, well, mystique, is the fact that outside visitors are not allowed on the property. Note: A factor that makes the suites even more appropriate for lovebirds is the fact that children under the age of 14 are not allowed on the property; not because management is anti-enfant, but because the hideaway is built high into a cliff. While Luxury Travel Advisor prefers that properties have separate spa facilities rather than offering en suite services, we feel the fact that Mystique has five suites providing private spa rooms is quite special. And while it’s always wise to reserve treatments ahead of time, Mystique confides that clients should feel comfortable waiting until they arrive to book. You or your client may do so via Laura Gini (info@ mystique.gr), the top therapist and spa manager at Mystique. Want to wow your client with an over-the-top adventure? Ask Hotel Manager Antonia Veskou (antonia.veskou@mystique.gr; 30-228-607-1114) to arrange for a private helicopter tour over Santorini and the surrounding islands or to reserve a private sunset cruise to the volcano across the way. If your VIPs prefer to keep their feet on the ground, suggest an excursion to the prehistoric city of Akrotiri, which was an important trade center during the Middle and late Bronze Ages. Pleasant perk: Roundtrip airport/port transfers are provided gratis via a Mercedes Viano. Back at Mystique, your clients can partake of a private dinner in a “Secret Wine Cave,” with a nine-course menu prepared by Executive Chef Melina Homata, or a sunset wine tasting with local Greek labels. Mystique is in Santorini’s popular, yet quiet, Oia village, filled with winding narrow streets, blue skies and domed churches. It also has plenty of shops, taverns and cafés to keep your clients busy. (Keep in mind that Santorini is known for its jewelry shops where original Aegean Island designs can be found.) Note: The hotel operates from April to November; from May through September it is busy! Reserve two to three months in advance. Mystique says it will add six more suites in 2009. Porto Zante De Luxe Villas (www.portozante.com) on Zakynthos is another secluded favorite for high-end clients. Set on a private sandy beach of a secluded bay, just west of Greece’s mainland, the resort has two top villas, the Royal Spa (two bedrooms) and the Imperial (four bedrooms). How special are they? Each has a private, heated pool and spa right on the beach, but we also love the stone terrace on the water’s edge, which comes complete with a private bar and sun beds—ideal for soaking up the crystal blue waters of the Ionian Sea. All villas on the MYSTIQUE opened on Santorini last year. Carved into a cliff (left), the resort’s accommodations all have views of the Aegean (shown here). www.luxuryta.com April 2008 | LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR 23 http://www.mystique.gr http://www.mystique.gr http://www.portozante.com http://www.luxuryta.com

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Luxury Travel Advisor - April 2008 Contents Publisher's Letter Editor's Letter London DESTINATIONS India Greece HOTELS Golf Royal Hideaway Playacar Chateau Marmont SPAS Hawaiin Spas Southeast Asia CRUISES: Antarctica Cover Story: Rocket man The Pulse Traveling Gourmet Jetset Sightings Source List

Luxury Travel Advisor - April 2008

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