InsideLux – The Luxury News Authority

Ashtanga yoga masters David Swenson and Shelley Washington have been summoned to Maui by the Four Seasons Resort to coach and practice their mastered craft. Each well renowned in the yoga community, they will be tutoring attendees with the original poses and philosophies personally acquired from Ashtanga master K. Pattabhi Jois.

Shelley Washington, originally a professional dancer, found her love of Ashtanga yoga and immediately re-directed her passions, leading her to Mysore, India to study under master K. Pattabhi Jois.

Partnering her in the Four Seasons endeavor, David Swenson, has practiced yoga since age 13, and at 16, was introduced to the Ashtanga practice under K. Pattabhi Jois himself. With a bestselling book, Ashtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual, and his series of five DVDs, this team is ideal for the most serious of yoga practitioners.

Priced at $4,500 per attendee, the package includes Five nights in the luxe Four Seasons Resort, four morning classes, three afternoon classes, a daily “Talk Yoga” seminar in the Yoga Retreat Hospitality Lounge, and a final reception and group dinner. The Retreat is from September 10^th-15^th and spacing is limited. Interested parties may contact The Spa at the Four Seasons Resort Maui.

Harptree Bed and Breakfast owners Linda and Charles Hill transformed a fraction of their acreage into a luxury camping experience for even the most skeptic of outdoor sleeping. The main house b&b, tucked away in Somerset’s Mendip Hills, has a cozy, relaxed, country feel, complete with homemade cooking and baked goods.

When deciding to upgrade the camping experience, Linda and Charles kept with their traditional style and furnished the canvas tents with antiques, tea lights, a wood burning stove, Persian rugs, a Chesterfield sofa, and even a dishwasher… A separate bedroom features a king-size walnut bed and a fully functional bathroom with a soaking tub.

Apart from the quaint canvas housing, the full property is open to guests; with 17 acres to roam, visitors will stumble upon walled kitchen gardens, a tennis court, tree house with wraparound balcony, and scenic walk through Chew Valley.  As one of the most expensive tent camping properties in the UK, a three-night getaway will run at £525 ($838).

For more information and photos, visit http://www.harptreecourt.co.uk/yurt.php

Opening this December, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail, is the perfect get-away for a luxury ski trip.  The Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail caters to clients’ every need, from a day full of skiing, to the winding down, warming up and relaxing for the next day. The Ski Concierge, conscious of its guest’s possible cold-weather shyness, is located just a short, heated walk from the Residence Club. Private lockers, complimentary fresh-baked muffins, hot chocolate, tea, coffee, a warming lounge, and all rental needs, including warmed boots are only some of the services provided by the Ski Concierge. Once all ready to go, guests and residence can enjoy a full day of skiing the slopes and know that the Four Seasons Resort and Residence Vail will be waiting to warm and relax them for the next day of winter play.

Escaping the cold has never been done better, or more stylishly, than the amenities and services provided by the new Four Seasons and Residences Vail. Jump in a heated pool or whirlpool, sit by one of the many fire places or drink in the warmth through a steaming cup of hot chocolate, the personalized 24-hour concierge services will work to make sure your cozy and comfortable. Along with the Fireside Bar & Lounge, which specializes in Latin American classics, the resort is equipped with a fine dinning facility, Flame restaurant, and features a 24-hour room service policy.

A state-of-the-art fitness center and 11,000 square foot spa are also on location to be enjoyed by guest for relaxation needs. While using these services, keep your children safe and entertained by the Four Seasons signature Kids of all Seasons Program, Children’s Activity Centre, and Young Adult Center.

Not that anyone would need to leave the resort, but with its central location, guests can have instant access to Vail’s many attractions and boutiques.

Rather than over eating and drinking on your next four-day weekend, why not attend a Wellness Retreat at The Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach? Exercise classes, personal counseling, spa sessions, nutrition seminars and meals in accordance to the appropriate calorie breakdowns will leave you healthy, relaxed, refreshed and ready to take on the next week. Limited to 10 participants per weekend, advance reservations need to be placed. Priced at $2,919 dollars all-inclusive, spots will fill quickly.

To reserve call 561-582-2800 or visit http://www.fourseasons.com/palmbeach/

Capella Singapore has just been recognized by Conde Nast’s hot list which honors the top 134 hotels in the world. The first Capella property in Asia, this colonial and minimalist hybrid echoes luxury and tranquility in one breath.

The decor was designed by Andre Fu, Yasuhiro Koichi and Jaya Abrahim. Surrounded by 30 acres of rain forest, and recently restored by Lord Norman Foster, the property features 112 guest rooms, two colonial manors, 38 villas, and four constellation rooms with rooftop jacuzzis.

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London’s elite property, the St. James’s Hotel and Club has just been listed for a cool $88.6 million dollars. Placed on the market by the Landesberg and Rosenberg families and currently part of the Althoff group of hotels, the building was purchased for $29.5 million dollars five years ago and has undergone extensive renovations.

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African Homesteads offers luxury villas in a private game reserve on the fringe of KwaZulu Natal’s

Savour the luxury of Africa’s wide open spaces with the sky and savanna theme of The Homestead at &Beyond Phinda. Breathtakingly stylish and sophisticated yet refreshingly simple, The Homestead provides the ideal venue to reconnect with friends and family.

With the warm, friendly faces and helping hands of a full complement of staff ready to welcome you on arrival, you will instantly feel as though this is your second home.

Inviting rooms designed around retro trinkets, Zulu crafts and sleek, contemporary touches reinforce the impression that this private safari villa is designed for comfort and ease.

Galactic Suite Limited has announced that the world’s first space hotel will be ready to accept guests from 2012.   At €1m per night for a minimum of 3 nights, this hotel is reserved for the world’s richest.

The zero gravity resort will orbit the planet 15 times a day, offering a sunset and sunrise more than once an hour.  A spaceport from a Caribbean island will transport guests on Russian rockets to the resort and an introductory 8 week course prior to departure is compulsory.

The project, still in its design phase may be yet another pipe dream, but lets hope this one turns out to be a reality.

Frequented by the jet-set, Russian oligarchs and royalty – where Prince William and Kate Middleton vacationed last winter – Courcheval in the French Alps has become not only the place to be seen on some of the world’s best ski slopes, but also home to some of the most expensive real estate. Not everyone can afford a chalet in this exclusive ski destination, but for those who don’t have private villas, it’s still worth the splurge to stay at the newly renovated five-star Hotel de Charme Les Airelles. Read the rest of this entry »

Ground-breaking holidays to China and North Korea have been announced by the holiday company Remote Lands. The company is known for creating highly personalized ultra-luxury bespoke holidays in Asia, optionally by private jet and yacht, for sophisticated, demanding high net-worth clients. Based in New York and Bangkok, Remote Lands is renowned for its “white-glove” service, creative itineraries and extreme attention to detail. With their newest offer clients can travel in style and comfort by optional private jet to experience the physical beauty of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). Largely closed off to outsiders, you could now be among the first to enter one of the world’s most unspoilt destinations with a private guide on your tailor-made break. Read the rest of this entry »