Virtuoso Life - May/June 2008 - (Page 18) EDITOR’S NOTE t’s all about the outdoor shower. that was my revelation during a recent stay in Mexico, where my hotel room boasted one. It takes a lot to impress travelers today, as our expectations of everything from the level of service to the quality of linens seem to rise ever higher each year – a huge challenge to the industry leaders tasked with innovating and evolving their offerings to keep us coming back for more. Indeed, the definition of luxury has changed and some believe the term has been overused to the point of ubiquity. even with the evasive nature of its definition and predictions of its demise, luxury is alive and well at Virtuoso. but more than material goods and high-end products, Virtuoso’s travel advisors and suppliers recognize that experience is the true essence of luxury. on a basic level, the outdoor shower is a small example of the gradual shift in focus from the tangible to the intangible. hoteliers recognize that many travelers have designer bathrooms at home, so the “wow factor” isn’t in the finish-out; it’s in the experience. I was in Mexico to oversee the cover photo shoot for this edition of Virtuoso Life, our special hotel Issue. We shot on location at the brandnew rosewood Mayakobá, a fabulous resort on the riviera Maya I with a low-impact, modern design set in the mangroves (and, as I mentioned, outdoor showers in the guest rooms that were, well, luxurious). the weather (mostly) cooperated – the skies and water were a bit gray in the morning, and the wind picked up in the afternoon, but ultimately the water took on those unbelievable tones of turquoise you see on the cover – so brilliant the ocean almost looks fake (but it’s real, I promise). You’ll find many articles on hotels in this issue, from exotic escapes to pools that make a splash, a fun look at hotel trivia, great kids’ programs, spa trends, and more. hotels play a part of almost every sojourn, and I’m sure you’ll find several that you’ll want to experience yourself. You can be confident that they all epitomize luxury, no matter how you define it. Elaine Srnka EDITOR esrnka@virtuoso.com Ready, set, aim: On location at Rosewood Mayakobá. Coming in July: The Second Annual Travel Dreams Issue 18 V I RT U O S O L I F E (SRNKA) ARTURO RODRIGUEZ
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