Luxury Travel Advisor - June 2008 - (Page 46)

WHO SAILS THERE: Silversea Silver Whisper, Silver Cloud and Silver Wind www.silversea.com Seabourn Seabourn Spirit and the Seabourn Pride www.seabourn.com Crystal Cruises Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity www.crystalcruises.com SeaDream SeaDream I and SeaDream II www.seadream.com Oceania Insignia, Regatta and Nautica www.oceaniacruises.com Regent Seven Seas Navigator www.rssc.com Cunard Queen Victoria in 2008 www.cunard.com outlet covers, nightlights and disposable baby bottles. General Manager Tim Ananiadis (tim.ananiadis@starwood hotels.com) says May-June and September-October are the busiest months. To avoid disappointment, book well ahead. For VIPs, also contact Shane Hodges, area director of sales and marketing (shane.hodges@starwoodhotels. com), who arranges private yachts and jets and luxury villa rentals in Greece. Head Concierges Panos Christou, Kyriakos Tomais and Apostolos Papayiannakis (info@ grandebretagne.gr; 011-30-210333-0889) will set up private guided tours of museums and archaeological sites. Celebrities who have stayed here include Francis Ford Coppola, Brigitte Bardot, Sofia Loren and former French president Jacques Chirac. The ESPA Spa’s six treatment rooms and one Couples Suite all feature private showers. Contact HOTEL GRANDE BRETAGNE’S PRESIDENTIAL SUITE is the ideal respite in which to “recoup” from a luxury cruise. Spa Director Anne Specque (spa@grandebretagne.gr; 01130-210-333-0799/0722) two to five days ahead to book treatments. She says the Nourishing Yoghurt, Honey and Sugar Wrap is the most popular headto-toe treatment. For clients who like to shop, Sales Manager Natasha Zoupanou (natasha.zoupanou@ starwoodhotels.com; 011-30210-333-0817) recommends the nearby Attica Department Store and the exclusive designer boutiques in the up-market Kolonaki district. Alexander’s Bar will appeal to lovers of fine cognacs, brandies and cigars. The GB Corner, GB Roof Garden and Winter Garden restaurants feature Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, and there is private dining for four to 10 people in the Churchill’s Room and in The Cellar. The sea-green glass facade of the Life Gallery Athens (www. bluegr.com), in the suburb of Ekali (45 minutes from downtown and 30 from the airport) makes it look like an office building. But the uncluttered open-space decor of the lobby in this boutique hotel has a Zen feel we immediately felt would appeal to trendy Gen Y luxury travelers. Huge windows and glass panels provide views over the sunken lobby bar, dining room and garden with sundecks, large swimming pool and smaller heated pool. Note: The 24 Deluxe Rooms, three Art Studios and three Junior Suites in muted beige and taupe are open space, so we advise not sending clients who prefer separate bed and bathrooms. The Deluxe Rooms are not huge (355 square feet) but they do not feel at all cramped thanks also to the spacious balconies with hi-tech glass panels that tilt open to any angle. The sliding doors on the separate bathrooms (which feature a second telephone) and on the hydro-massage showers are a clever space-saving touch. At night, a glowing orange floor strip marks the threshold to the bathroom. For clients who demand more space, General Manager Anastase Ghionis (lgagm@bluegr.com; 011-30-210-626-0400) recommends the Art Studios (105, 205, 305), which also have larger balconies, or the even larger Sineco, Fos and Phisis Suites with large terraces. Ananea Spa Manager Marianna Menti (lgespa@bluegr.com; 011-30-210-626-0456) says treatments are based on ancient techniques and Ayurveda. The signature treatment is the Lakshmi eye therapy, and we’re told that therapist Miranda Konitopoulos is a favorite with repeat guests. The Wine Gallery restaurant is popular with guests and executives from the many multinationals based in Ekali, according to Rooms Division Manager Leonides Anagnostou (lgeres@bluegr. com; 011-30-210-626-0400). For luxury dining, Leonides also suggests Eleas Gi in the nearby shopping district of Kifissia and Tike, as it’s said to serve the best Turkish kebabs. 46 LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR | June 2008 http://www.silversea.com http://www.seabourn.com http://www.crystalcruises.com http://www.seadream.com http://www.oceaniacruises.com http://www.rssc.com http://www.cunard.com http://www.bluegr.com http://www.bluegr.com

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Luxury Travel Advisor - June 2008 Contents Publisher's Letter Editor's Letter Paris Shanghai New York Takeover Hotels Townhouse Galleria Florida Spas BVI Bliss Athens, Greece Rainforest Excursions Nigel Page The Pulse Jetset Report Just Back On Location Sightings Agent Access Source List

Luxury Travel Advisor - June 2008

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