Luxury Life & Style

HOTELS OF MAJESTIC DISTINCTION Thornbury Castle Samode Palace will no doubt inspire visions of grandeur, gentility and privilege. Overlooking a private park, the acclaimed Valle Flôr serves a variety of delicious Portuguese specialties. When not lounging by the sun-drenched pool or teeing off at one of 18 nearby golf courses, visitors must take advantage of the hotel’s spa and standout menu of deluxe treatments. My favorites: the Hot Chocolate Facial and Massage. pestana.com. Thornbury Castle, South Gloucestershire Any anglophile who recently became obsessed with Showtime’s series The Tudors (guilty here) should hang their crown at Thornbury Castle, a palace near Bristol and the Cotswolds in merry ol’ England. The only Tudor castle in the country opened as a hotel, these ancient walls have greeted kings, queens and other nobility for five centuries. Originally owned by Henry VIII, the castle invites guests to stay in the Duke’s Bedchamber, octagonal-shaped quarters where Henry would often turn in with then-wife, Anne Boleyn. If you still have your head about you in the morning, prepare to be treated like royalty as you explore the historic grounds, complete with a 500-year-old vineyard from which castle wine is still produced. Once you’ve been adorned with two handmade regal robes, you’ll be seated on a throne for the Royal Gala Dinner. This six-“remove” (or course) dining experience samples the finest of Tudor cuisine, including portage of mutton, a side of deer, and date and walnut pudding. Don’t forget to work off your meal with a game of croquet or a bit of archery. Clay pigeon shooting and falconry are available on site with prior notice. Other services include private helicopter charter and a chauffeured Rolls-Royce Phantom for excursions into the countryside. A ripping vacation, I’d say. thornburycastle.com. Samode Palace, Jaipur Publisher Todd Klawin personally recommended Jaipur’s Samode Palace after staying there during a lavish wedding earlier this year. Awarded the best Heritage Hotel in India for five consecutive years, this stunning property combines modern hospitality with the country’s natural beauty and rich history. Steeped with a royal legacy dating back several centuries, the palace enjoyed many lavish additions over time, including the hand-painted Darbar Hall and the breathtaking Sheesh Mahal hall of mirrors. The hotel boasts a number of beautiful touches, including extensive marble work, mosaic floorings, colorful textiles and traditional artifacts. Three royal suites offer the finest in accommodations, and each features a private courtyard, Jacuzzi and fireplace. The expansive grounds offer a variety of recreational activities in a gorgeous natural setting. Sunbathe alongside the outdoor marble and mosaic swimming pool, or reserve a table at the Kerala Ayurvedic Center, famous for its herbal oil massages. samode. com. The Mansion at MGM Grand, Las Vegas There’s royalty and then there’s Hollywood royalty. In an era of heiresses and velvet ropes, we would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge the privileged set of today and at least one of their favorite haunts. If we had to pick a single residence that outsparkles the tiaras of all the others, it would be The Mansion at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Opened in 1999, the 290,000-square-foot compound boasts only 29 villas, each modeled after an 18th century residence outside of Florence. Gated and grandiose, the property is nonetheless intimate, with service and ambiance reminiscent of a private residence stay. Most villas include a balcony overlooking the Atrium gardens, a media room with state-of-the-art equipment, an indoor pool, warm-water heated bathroom floor, library, piano, bar and parlor. Mansion guests receive exclusive access to the Loggia, a quiet respite perfect for reading the morning paper with a cup of Earl Grey, The Great Hall and its selection of fine cigars and cognacs, and a 16-foot vaulted-ceiling dining room serving Continental and Asian cuisine. In addition to exquisite landscapes artfully planted with a variety of gorgeous flora, the Mansion features an extensive collection of contemporary and ancient artworks, some by renowned artists and others commissioned exclusively for the residence. mgmgrand.com. • 58 Luxury Life & Style September/October 2007 pestana.com burycastle.com mgmgrand.com

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