Enjoy a stay amidst the golden sands of the dramatic landscape of The Empty Quarter – the world’s largest stretch of uninterrupted sand desert. An exclusive collection of ten royal villa accommodations by Anantara’s majestic Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort gleam luxuriously in a secluded setting named the Royal Pavilion Villas.

An epitome of sheer luxury, the villas will let you experience the understated sophistication and Arabian elegance. If you are seeking a peaceful, tranquil and a truly bespoke getaway, this Arabian retreat is just the answer. Located just a kilometer away from the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, the villas take you away from the hustle bustle of the city and let you spend some quality time with yourself and your family.

The Villas come equipped with facilities to pamper your senses. The royal retreat comprises ten fully self contained pool villas complete with swimming pool, outdoor rainforest showers, sunbathing cabana, terrace dining and lawned areas to facilitate complete relaxation. The main Pavilion features Porte Cochere, a welcome Lounge, The Dining Room, The Lounge, The Terrace, The Workout Room, The Spa and an impressive outdoor area.

Thoughtfully appointed, each villa features a 47 inch flat screen, slim line LCD screens in the bedroom and lounge areas, Bose Lifestyle Sound System in lounge, Bose blue tooth capable iPod dock and alarm with bedside wireless volume and snooze control, bathroom amenities from world famous luxury brands such as Elemis and Shiffa, personalized bathrobes with guest initials, butler pantry, as well as individual villa BBQ’s designed by Neil Perry, the Australian Chef and Restaurateur.

The resort takes care of your every need- right from the arrival to the farewell. Each overnight stay includes culinary presentations for breakfast, lunch and dinner including soft beverages. On arrival, you are encouraged to meet with the Chef to talk through their preferences, hear details about the ‘market list’ items fresh for the day and have a tailor-made culinary journey created exclusively for them. From the freshest Canadian lobster to Japanese Wagyu beef to simple club sandwiches, your culinary wishes are the Chef’s command.

Evening cocktails will be served to you at the The Lounge or The Terrace, both offering spectacular views of the changing colours of the desert sands and the 180-metre-high sand dune opposite the Royal Pavilion Villas complex.  With the twinkling lights of Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort emerging on dusk, the experience is nothing short of fairytale grandeur.

You can also enjoy two of the many fun activities (per guest per night stay) that include camel riding in the dunes, hard and soft dune drives and the ever popular dune bashing, archery, desert walks, desert land sailing and fat biking, as well as the falcon and saluki show. There is also complimentary access to the tennis and basketball courts throughout the stay, as well as a dedicated private gym within the villa resort. A purpose-built Spa has been included in the main Pavilion offering a variety of treatments for both individuals and couples. The Spa features a private relaxation terrace with lush gardens evoking the ultimate in serenity and calm.

For more information, visit www.royalpavilionvillas.com, call +971 2 886 2088 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Nestled in the lap of greenery, the luxe Sooryaa Samudra- Niraamaya Retreat, Kovalam facing the Arabian Sea will mesmerize you with its scenic beauty.

The story began in 1982, in the coastal village of Pulinkudi, about 10 kilometres from Trivandrum, when Klaus Schleusener from Germany, a professor at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, converted a deserted hill into the symbol of ancient Keralite architecture and called it his ‘winter abode’. Since then the abode has become a popular resort that is visited by holiday makers from all over the world.  With a background of lush greenery and coconut trees framing the resort and the beautiful. Arabian Sea on its front the place is a must visit for its luxury cottages and scenic beauty.

The resort is filled with Kerala’s ancient history and architecture spread over its vast acres in the form of a temple pillar here, an engraved wooden temple door on some of the cottages, a brass trishul used as a décor piece and many more such artifacts handpicked and sourced from various places in Kerala.

Every heritage cottage here has their own story to narrate. The first suite gives a grand view of the beach while the other has a 100 year old banyan tree swathed with lights around which is landscaped a garden and the washroom area. All this inside the cottage! Yet another cottage gave a stunning view of an old mosque as your first morning view which looked as if perched on a cliff directly over the sea. All these beautiful cottages come with an outdoor shower. They are a mix of the old and the contemporary with terracotta roof, carved pillars and ornate doors that is intriguing and exciting.

The resort is scattered with the dearly loved Hindu God Ganesha in different sizes but the one that catches your eye will be the one carved in black stone looking at you benevolently, weighing about five tones, as you make your way to the restaurant Samsara.

Café Samsara is the place, where you can spend your entire holiday listening to the waves sing a song of their own, sipping on either the famous Kerala filter coffee or fresh sweet tender coconut water.

It also serves delicious local cuisine with excellent grilled sea food and barbeque that’s an absolute must-have. The other dining option here is Essence perched on a cliff serving Far Eastern cuisine, while Madira is the bar overlooking the beach. 

For the romantics the retreat will be happy to arrange a quiet dinner at the beach under the stars with a menu specially prepared by the chef. It’s a perfect setting for wedding destination that will fill your heart with happiness.

If you are visiting Kerala, God’s own country you surely can’t miss the Ayurveda treatment it is so famous for.  The spa here is an absolute must-visit  an it’s not just Ayurveda, you can go for Thai, Swedish and reflexology therapies among many others in the lap of luxury as trained therapist take over the wellness of your being to help you return from your holiday absolutely relaxed and rejuvenated.

Ten things you can do to enjoy Niramaaya Retreat, Kovalam

1. Begin your day with fresh and sweet coconut water

2. Ask for an early morning yoga session – it is unhurried, calming and a balm to your drive-tired backache

3. Indulge in the freshest of sea food

4. Spot the number of Ganeshas scattered throughout the resort – they are beautiful and give a spiritual touch to your walk

5. The local coastal cuisine freshly prepared is definitely not to be missed

6. As the locals do polish it off with specially prepared filter coffee

7. Book yourself into their award winning spa

8. Stay at the Banyan Tree Bungalow inside which is a 100 year old Banyan tree around which is landscaped a garden with bathroom

9. Walk on the beach bare feet to give that much needed muscle exercise

10. Enjoy a beach dinner under the stars with specially prepared menu

Address: Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra - Kovalam: Pulinkudi, Mullur PO,Thiruvananthapuram 695 521, Kerala, India

Reservations: Tel: +91 80 4510 4510 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

It’s not difficult to find time to travel and plan for a holiday if you put your heart to it. While Delhi grasps you in the unwanted extreme summer heat, an escape to a destination where the best of luxury hotels beckon you with seducing beaches can be very tempting.  Anantara Phuket Layan Resort & Spa, is one such hotel that offers you a new chapter of unique experiences in luxury, surrounded by natural exclusivity in the world famous beach resort.

Anantara in Sanskrit means 'without end'. It symbolizes the sharing of water, an ancient tradition followed in Thailand whereby a jar of water was always placed outside the house for weary travelers. It is this tradition and heritage that lies in the heart of the Anantara hospitality.

Anantara Phuket Layan Resort & Spa is a hideaway tucked away on the intimate and unspoiled corner of the northwest coast of Phuket and nestles in the picturesque Layan Beach at the serene, far end of Bang Tao Bay. The island’s bustling southern beaches and city centre are only a 35 minute drive away.

While you are here, you can discover Phuket with its various shopping boutiques, nightclubs, street shopping, world famous cuisine and entertainment that will keep your holidays enthralled and memorable.

It is surrounded by lush exotic landscapes and towering coconut trees on one of the least developed and most beautiful beaches on the island. Here, crystal blue waters meet with silk sands that lead to acres of native beachfront vegetation and quiet natural enclaves, creating an ideal environment for pure relaxation.

The stunning new resort offers nine different room types across 77 luxurious suites and villas on 400 metres of secluded beach, including a two bedroom Family Pool Villa, a couple of two bedroom Pool Villas and a vast 485 square metre Pool Villa. With direct beach access, a private pool and extensive outdoor areas, the Anantara Pool Villa is the ultimate tropical island retreat, accommodating up to six adults.

The interiors feature local accents in every room and all the comforts from home.  You can use the iPod docking station and an Apple television through which videos and movies can be streamed from guests’ iPhones or iPads.  Internet here is complimentary.

The 47 villas each boast a private pool, a selection of books and a discreet villa host who is available 24 hours a day.  Guests at Anantara Phuket Layan are spoilt for choice when it comes to wining and dining with a host of venues, each offering a distinctive setting, menu and ambience. Phuket is already well known for its fresh, succulent seafood and the resort’s menus scrumptiously reflect this. Sala Layan, the all-day dining restaurant, offers a lavish breakfast buffet with live cooking stations, the best of eastern and western favourites and a vitality food selection throughout the day Also don’t miss out on the most decadent Sunday brunch here.

While at the Deeplee signature restaurant, authentic Thai cuisine from around the Kingdom is deliciously articulated with divine flavour pairings of intricate creations. The Asian flavours extend to the adjacent cliff edge Infinity Bar, where exceptional views, exquisite cocktails and sumptuous Thai tapas exemplify the best that Southeast Asia has to offer. And for those who prefer the blissful ocean breeze and cool waters, the Breeze pool bar offers inventive cocktails, revitalising fresh juices and light poolside snacks to fuel a day lounging in the tropical sun while Sunshine Butlers are on hand with fruit skewers and cold face towels to cool sunbathers down.

As the sun sets, guests can indulge in the ultimate romantic dining with personalised ‘Dining by Design’ experiences, where a specially devised menu is prepared by a personal chef, and served at a table for two in dreamy locations, from an isolated enclave to a deck on a cliff edge – anywhere of the guests’ choosing.

The resort provides a beautiful location for wedding settings with its natural exclusivity and signature style. You can choose the setting between unique cliff edge open chapel with magical and stunning photo opportunities are provided with the ocean backdrop to the a tropical beachfront bliss with the Andaman’s waves as the wedding march.

And of course you can’t be an Anantara guest and not experience the famous Thai spa offerings in their treatment suites. So relax, rejuvenate and refresh in the world famous expert hands of Thai therapists in their seven treatment suites to complete your glorious Thai holiday.

The well known luxury hotel chain, one of Europe’s oldest – the Kempinski Hotels plans to go aggressive in the Indian hospitality sector. The brand currently has one hotel in operation in India and 73 globally, with plans to open 112 hotels by 2017.

The growing upper middle class is travelling a lot these days. This includes not just international travel but Indian destinations too are sought after. Duncan O’Rourke, CEO Kempinski Hotels says, “India is a rapidly growing economy with a burgeoning middle class that appreciates and has the resources to enjoy high-end luxury. The country also plays an important role in terms of outbound travel to our numerous properties across the globe.”

“We plan to operate three new hotels in India by 2020. We already have an operational hotel, the Kempinski Ambience Hotel Delhi, and these additions will take our total strength to four hotels in the country in the next 5-6 years”, he adds.

Ulrich T. Eckhardt - President Middle East and Africa, Duncan O' Rourke- COO, Kempinski Hotels and Vella Ramasawmy- GM, Kempinski Ambience Hotel Delhi

Mr. Ulrich Eckhardt, Managing Director & President India, Middle East & Africa, Kempinski Hotels added, “While we are bullish on our expansion in the country we have put a cap on growth as we want to be known for our luxury and exclusivity. India is an extremely important market for us and we are looking to follow a tactical planned approach to grow our footprint in the country.”

The three properties are planned in the cities of Mumbai, Kolkata and Kerala and the company will follow a management contract model for these new hotels. Each of the upcoming hotels will feature 150-250 keys and the property in Kerala is planned to be a resort, the first for Kempinski Hotels in India. 

www.kempinski.com • www.globalhotelalliance.com

It’s a luggage that would make you want to travel NOW.

It’s the Illusionist range of The V Renaissance leather luggage that takes inspiration from the masters of the Renaissance era. Each piece of this range is individually hand crafted keeping intact the true essence of all things vintage.  Bask in the beauty of this which is made in top leather and embellished with original brass trimmings making it a symbol of absolute luxury. 

Beautifully handcrafted with original brass rivets and sturdy carry-on handles, it’s very lightweight. It also comes with two sets of leather pouches specially designed for your travel needs. It’s a precision finish that will delight you immensely both in terms of looks and quality. 

The beautiful bag can be customized to your liking and needs with

• Leather Name Tag. Inr-2000.00
• leather bound fitted Trolley. Inr-5000.00, ·          
• Embossing your initials, name, or a message on to the bag  Inr-3000
• Cleaning Kit includes a bag polish and cleaning cloth made especially for high quality leather products. Inr-2000

The Illusionist "Ebony Weekend"

Price: INR 1,28,000

Availability: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The princes and courtiers of yore are long gone. What hasn’t left-Udaipur is the magnificent royal indulgences and The Leela Palace, Udaipur bears testimony to that.

There’s so much that has already been said about the beautiful Leela Palace located on the banks of Lake Pichola in Udaipur, the city of Rajasthan. Yet, nothing prepares you for the breath-taking beauty that awaits you. Guests get the first taste of luxury as they step into the exit foyer of the small Maharana Pratap airport. There are sparkling white BMWs lined up to ferry the valued guests to the boat point. Here begins your first round of clicking photographs as you take in the lake and your first real view of The Leela Palace - standing royally and bathed in the comforting rays of the sun. A liveried staffer of the hotel escorts you to the ferry under a traditional Rajasthani umbrella done up in gold thread and beautiful trimmings. Soon you are on the waters of Lake Pichola, and beyond it lies the magnificent landscape that surrounds you stunningly.

The majestic Jag Mandir - pleasure palace of the king, the Monsoon Palace up in the mountain, the City Palace Museum, which also houses the crystal and its latest addition - the silver wing. As you reach your destination, another uniformed staffer awaits you with the umbrella and you are escorted grandly to the lobby of the majestic hotel warmly welcomed with a traditional live Rajasthani music, the tika and thirst quenching soft drink . The lobby is filled with regal splendour all around with silver ornate tables, statues, expensive local art, and lounge chairs with rich tapestries in warm red and gold.  If you are housed in the new wing, be prepared to walk through corridors that are adorned with colourful Rajasthani paintings, the smell of fresh roses and the sweet sound of traditional music. It’s pure seduction of your senses.

All rooms and suites at the Leela Palace face the beautiful lake, surrounding palaces and the majestic Aravali range, ensuring peaceful and refreshing mornings. It’s a view, enough to give you a spring on your feet, for a beautiful day that awaits you. The royal splendour flows on to the rooms with rich silk bedspreads, individually designed curtains and cushions. The suites are furnished with regally inspired designs and handcrafted furniture that is all very welcoming. Thekri, a traditional Mewari art form which involves the use of intricately chiselled mirrors on plaster, is the predominant theme of the palace’s interiors and so you will find it in the suites as well.

Once you have done the mandatory shopping and sightseeing, a dinner at the Sheesh Mahal speciality restaurant is a must. You will be pampered here by the chef who will whip up a delicious menu with exquisite dishes filled with the aroma of spices and flavours especially for you. Indulge heartily in the delicious cooked aromatic dal makhani with rotis cooked traditionally by a Rajasthani lady right in front of you. Relish mouth watering mutton and chicken curry cooked just the way you want and served with fragrant rice. Sip on the best wines available in the country. It’s a fine dining experience that will take you to another level.  All this while you enjoy live local folk dance and the beautiful surrounding palaces lit with night lights and its rays dancing on the quiet lake waters. It’s pleasure that can’t be forgotten easily.

The stay at the Leela Palace is incomplete if you do not find time to indulge in the tented luxury spas meant for absolute relaxation. The ESPA spa is surrounded by a beautiful garden, the stunning view of the lake and the fragrant aromas of the incense oils that transports you to a different world. Do visit the small yet interesting ancient Shiva temple located in the middle of the spa area where you might be lucky enough to hear the chanting of the priest while he performs his daily prayers.

The award winning spa offers a variety of massages both Ayurveda as well as western. They are deeply therapeutic and calming. The spa’s one-of-a-kind air-conditioned tents, set amidst private pools and fragrant gardens, fuse centuries-old local artisanal designs of Rajasthan. Its Aroma Steam rooms, featuring amethyst crystals and anthracite glass tiles are set amidst a story of heritage and architectural beauty, offering a calming prelude to the treatment experience. Before you know it, you will be planning your next vacation to the very same place not realizing the days have just flown and there is so much more to see and explore leaving you counting the days for your next trip.

For more information please visit: www.theleela.com