Luxury Travel Advisor - August 2008 - (Page 58)

HIDDEN POND ’s cottages have different themes. Shown is the kitchen of the Lazy Days Cottage. Warren, which is a member of Relais & Châteaux. The 11-room property is set in a small valley town surrounded by the Green Mountains. The general manager and concierge, Ari Sadri (ari@pitcherinn. com; 802-496-6350), recommends that larger families request a joint buyout of the Stable and Hayloft Barn Suites, which are adjacent to the main inn. The Stable has one room with a king bed and a full bath, and one twin room with a three-quarter bath. It also has a large sitting area with a wood-burning fireplace. Upstairs, the Hayloft Suite has two king-bed rooms, each with its own full bath. In the main house, VIPs will want to opt for the Trout or School Room, since each has a private balcony overlooking the inn’s gardens. Sadri says there’s nothing that can’t be done at The Pitcher Inn. Over the years, he has arranged a number of exclusive experiences for families, including private sailplane lessons at The Sugarbush Airport, home to one of North America’s premier glider ports. He’s also snagged private ski lessons from Olympic Silver Medalist Doug Lewis. His other magical feats include arranging for a private fireworks display for clients; for one group, he rented a side-wheel paddle steamer on Lake Champlain and even had it decorated with period antiques. Families will love the inn during winter, since nearby skiing can be found at Sugarbush and Mad River Glen. Summertime offers a wealth of activities, too, such as trout fishing and golf. Note: The inn does not accept pets. Spa services at the inn’s Alta Spa are recommended for ages 13 and up, and it even offers a “Teen Clean Facial,” as well as a 30-minute massage service for its younger guests. The spa has five treatment rooms, including one for couples. A full-service salon provides such services as haircuts, coloring, styling, manicures and pedicures. Because the spa is small, Spa Manager Joanie Kavanaugh (joanie@altadayspa. com; 802-492-2582) suggests booking treatments, such as the Décleor Detox Body Wrap or White Diamond Facial, as far in advance as possible. Clients seeking a rejuvenating look should also request Kavanaugh, who, as a Licensed Clinical Esthetician, can administer a “Lifting Facial” and PCA peels. Clients can fly into Burlington International Airport, which is an hour north of Warren. Although the property can provide limousine service to and from the airport, management suggests renting a car so guests can explore Vermont’s rural countryside. Warren is known for its July 4th celebration, which draws as many as 15,000 spectators each year—so book accordingly. Additionally, fall foliage season, which runs from September 15 through October, is a very busy period. Be sure to secure reservations one year out for this time frame. Hidden Pond (www.hidden pondmaine.com), a new resort in Kennebunkport, ME, has just opened on 60 acres of land that is intersected with miles of self-guided nature trails. Designed to deliver a true laid-back, Maine vacation experience, the property has 14 one- and two-bedroom themed cottages, each with a screenedin porch, fireplace, outdoor shower and kitchen, which can be supplemented with a private chef who will cook up a personal clambake dinner. Or, visitors can stroll up to an on-site farm stand to get fresh produce from the property’s gardens. Opt for Cabin #6 if your client wants the top vistas on property—these are of the pond and the farm. Otherwise, Cabins #11 and #17 get kudos for being the top accommodations on the site. (Hint: #9 is the choice for families, since it has the most sleeping space in the form of pull-out couches.) Families can gather during the day at The Ledges, an Arts and Crafts-styled venue that has a large stone fireplace, high ceilings and French windows that overlook the swimming pool and forest. Guests can also enjoy art classes with a resident watercolor specialist; in the evening, they can mingle with fellow guests outdoors with a glass of champagne around a field-stone firepit. Call on General Manager Christy Reid (christy@hidden pondmaine.com; 207-967-9058) to handle special requests; she is also your liaison for the on-premise concierge, who will arrange tough-to-get dining reservations or a beach safari to any of five area beaches, including the famous Goose Rocks. (Note: The property will also provide umbrellas, towels, picnic lunches, beverages and sunscreen.) Sailing and schooner outings can also be arranged. Hidden Pond has also created a unique venue for spa treatments under a large luxury tent tucked in the Frasier fir-tree forest. Be sure to reserve treatments at least a week out through Reid or Spa Director Wendy Ross (spa@cot tagebreeze.com; 207-967-2259). Clients can fly into Portland, ME, which is 25 miles from the resort; private jets land in Sanford, ME, 30 miles away. Management can arrange car transportation. News of note: Next spring, Hidden Pond will add 20 more cottages, a second swimming pool, a full-service spa cottage and a fine dining restaurant. 58 LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR | August 2008 http://www.hiddenpondmaine.com http://www.hiddenpondmaine.com

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Luxury Travel Advisor - August 2008 Contents Publisher's Letter Editor's Letter Maui Dubai Cape Town The Capella Resort and Spa, at Pedregal Cabo San Lucas Ritz-Carlton Cancun Presidential Suites The Palazzo, Las Vegas The Water Club Arrabelle at Vail Square Ferntree The Spa at Half Moon Fall Foliage Cruises New England Strong Travel On the Horizon: Luxury Travel Expo The Pulse Traveling Shopper Leaders Speak Sightings Source List

Luxury Travel Advisor - August 2008

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