Luxury Travel Advisor - April 2008 - (Page 35)

area downstairs, while upstairs the master bedroom features a plush, king-size bed and roomy marble bathroom with double sinks, indoor Jacuzzi and Bulgari toiletries. If neither of the Presidential Suites is available, the bi-level Junior Suites are another choice option. Request suites 3122 and 3022 for their lovely ocean views. Each Presidential and Junior Suite connects to one luxury room with two double beds, offering more versatile accommodations for families. Most standard luxury rooms face the garden, although eight have ocean views (Royal View rooms). Each of the 11 villas comes with its own full-time concierge, enabling the resort to function more like a cluster of intimate, 20-room boutique hotels rather than a single, large resort. This feature is especially attractive to guests seeking a larger resort experience while not sacrificing personal service and attention. In addition to making restaurant and spa reservations, the concierge can arrange a variety of excursions, including a private visit to the Mayan ruins of Tulum or Chichen Itza via helicopter, deep-sea fishing or scuba diving in nearby Cozumel aboard a chartered yacht or flying in a private jet to the island of Holbox to observe whale sharks during summer. Additionally, the concierge can arrange a shopping trip to the Cancun boutiques via private limousine. For special occasions, the concierge can adorn guests’ suites with rose petals, candles and champagne. While Royal PRESIDENTIAL SUITES (bedroom Hideaway does not offer private butler service, the concierge handling Presidential Suite clients has been known to perform certain butler duties, such as unpacking clothes. Special requests can be directed to the head concierge, Enrique Moreno (cconcierge@ mx.occidentalhotels.com). The culinary offerings of Royal Hideaway reflect its attention to detail and desire to please discerning tastes. At Las Ventanas, arguably the hotel’s best restaurant, the sleek, allwhite interior sets the mood for a modern dining experience, memorable for its inventive menu created by Michelin-star chef Sergi Arola. Dishes like the potato emulsion with foie gras and truffle essence and the Chilean sea bass roasted with a citronelle sauce over spring onions tempura are exquisitely prepared and presented. Try the chef ’s tasting menu for a rare gastronomical experience, paired with a fine wine from the restaurant’s wine cellar. Las Ventanas requires a dinner reservation, as do three other Royal Hideaway restaurants (there are six in total), including Azia, a AAA Four Diamondrated restaurant serving Japanese fare in a beautiful setting, and Palazzo, serving upscale Italian in an intimate, formal dining room perfect for a romantic evening. All three of these restaurants offer private rooms for parties of up to 12 people. The two additional restaurants are located on the beach: Spices (gourmet Mexican) and The Grill (for alfresco dining). The concierge can arrange a private dinner on the beach as well. For those more inclined to foot massages than sand between the toes, the resort’s spa is an appealing diversion. The spa uses the Phytomer product line and has seven indoor treatment rooms. Guests also can opt to have their treatment conducted outside next to the spa pool, on a bed at the beach or in their room. Signature treatments are the Royal Experience (a combination of hot stone and Swedish massage) and the lomi lomi (a Hawaiian massage technique). Book treatments in advance through Spa Director Claudia Perez (sparh@ mx.occidentalhotels.com) or Pre-arrival Concierge Eva Wajda (services@mx.occidentalhotels. com). Wajda also can arrange transport via Mercedes or Jaguar to/from the Cancun airport, about a 45-minute ride. Note: Royal Hideaway requires all guests to be 13 years and older, and resort management reports very few children/ teens at the resort at a given time. When those few teens do stay, they usually spend time at the adjacent property Allegro (which also is owned by Occidental and has more family-friendly diversions, including pool activities). —Vanessa Silberman shown, right) feature terraces and private outdoor Jacuzzis. Bedrooms have king-size beds. www.luxuryta.com April 2008 | LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR 35 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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