Category Archives: Top 5

The Ranch at Rock Creek. Philipsburg, Montana

August 18, 2023Adventure Travel, City Guide, Hotel of the Week, Top 5, Travel News, Travel Tips, Uncategorizedluxury dude ranch, luxury ranch, luxury ranch posh voyage, montana ranch, ranch at paws up, ranch at rock creek, The Ranch at Rock CreekStefanie

There are places where heaven just feels closer, and Ranch at Rock creek is one of them.

From the moment I arrived and opened my car door, I immediately started to breathe a different kind of air. Somehow the creek, pine trees, crisp wind, sage and thistle all blended together and gave me that perfect quintessential Montana scent.

For a few moments before walking into the Lobby, I just observed the trees swing with the wind, the birds chirping, horses galloping in the distance, rays of sun peaking through the leaves, and the river streaming past us. It suddenly felt like a perfectly orchestrated choreography, and I was happy to be a part of it.

The neighboring peaks surrounding the ranch make this the perfect spot for you to live your western dream with a side of luxury.

The ranch, which opened in 2010, is located in 6,600 acres in the heart of western Montana between Sapphire, John Long and Pintler Mountains. The ranch was such a success that shortly after it’s opening, it became a member of Relais & Chateaux as well as the Forbes Travel Guide in the same year.

While the price is enough to make you think twice about booking, it includes award wining cuisine and top notch activities. The ranch is comprised by a main lodge with 9 perfectly appointed guest rooms, 7 luxury homes, 10 luxury canvas cabins and 3 Conestoga wagons. Every accommodation has a very authentic style which is updated up every year without fail.

The perfect accommodations for a family are both Sweetgrass and Cutbow. Both have 2 connecting tents next to the creek, making you feel like you are in some sort of Lewis & Clark expedition, the only difference is that you have every luxury amenity you might need including a stand alone soaking tub, a wooden barrel hot tub as well as 4 indoor fire places and a fire pit next to the creek.

However, if you are looking for a romantic spot, Trapper cabin is the one. For guests looking for a less adventurous accommodation, Bear cabin is one of my absolute favorites for a large family or a group of friends that want to sleep in an actual wooden structure.

The ranch has a great way to add to your accommodation if you want even more adventure. If you are staying in a tent or a home, you can rent a Homesteader wagon to be parked outside your accommodation for a fun overnight adventure. The wagons are perfectly appointed with a king bed, bunk beds and a bar.

Before you arrive, the ranch plans a personalized itinerary for each party depending on your needs. Our itinerary was comprised by horseback riding, fly fishing, paint ball in the woods, archery, rimfire, sporting clays, mountain biking and sapphire mining. You can do as much or as little as you want, but because we had 4 kids our itinerary was action packed.

Flint Forest Rangers is the perfect spot if traveling with children. It’s a kids program where they have super friendly counselors doing activities like adopting a horse, obstacle courses, among other activities while parents engage in adult-only activities like long horseback rides or spa treatments.

Lastly and possibly my favorite part is the Silver Dollar Saloon. This saloon as as legit as it gets. It has billiards table, four-lane bowling alley, saddle bar seats and the best drinks in town.

The Ranch at Rock Creek is a place where you will probably book your next stay before you even check-out.

Top 7 American Romantic Getaways of 2016

March 8, 2016Jet Set Baby, Top 5, Uncategorizedamangiri, best hotels for couples, blackberry farm, cal-a-vie, four seasons santa barbara, glenmere mansion, lake austin spa, romantic hotels, top romantic hotels 2016Stefanie

Once you start a family, I have found that romantic getaways become fewer and farther in between. My sweet daughter had just turned one, and I was pregnant with the second baby (which happened to be a boy yay!), so my husband and I decided it was the perfect time to escape for a long weekend to relax, reconnect, and have some fun before the second wave of craziness entered our lives.

That is why, when I started planning my yearly romantic escape with my husband, I took this task extremely serious. It is not as easy as before the kids to pack up and leave, but we decided to make an effort to go on two trips every year where it is just the two of us: One within the US and the second one to an exotic country. Hey, having tots doesn’t mean you can’t have fun without them!

I carefully picked a list of 7 ah-ma-zing properties in the US that I knew was going to have perfect service, superb food, chic decor, the spa was going to have rave reviews, and the location was going to be easy to get to. I was not going to take any chances on my one and only trip!

After careful deliberation, I decided to not only book one, but book several throughout the year, so my one and only trip turned into five, ha!

Find below the top 7 romantic hotels for a quick getaway in the US:

Glenmere Mansion

Built in the Gilded Age of America, this 150-acre estate used to be the playground to one of the richest families in America. They would entertain guests ranging from aristocrats, royalty, and premier artists. Now opened at a luxury estate hotel & spa, very minimal work was done to the original estate to keep it as authentic as possible, with just a few modern twists. Perfect, for the seasoned and discerned traveler, Glenmere Mansion combines traditional luxury with outstanding service.

Blackberry Farm

Blackberry Farm is the perfect example of flawless southern hospitality set in a storybook location. Built in 1939 in the idyllic Smoky Mountain foothills, this boutique luxury hotel is located on 6,200 acres of romantic and fog drizzled forest.

Amangiri

Those looking for solace & solitude will love the Amangiri. With a backdrop of some of the top National Parks in the U.S., including the Grand Canyon, this sleek hideaway is perfect for couples who appreciate a stylish and minimal aesthetic while also wanting to explore the outdoors.

Post Ranch Inn

Post Ranch Inn is located in a unique setting, on the cliffs of the Pacific Coast Highway, offering staggering views of the California coastline and wine country. The moment you set foot on Post Ranch, the breeze will awaken your senses and the view will make your eyes sparkle. The romance of the hotel boasts is so intense, that most of the guests are either celebrating their honeymoon or anniversary.

Four Seasons Santa Barbara

One of my favorite hotels in Southern California, the Four Seasons Santa Barbara is nestled right along the beach, so close you can hear the waves crashing onto the rocks while you lay in bed. Known for it’s year-round perfect weather, Santa Barbara is the perfect place for a weekend getaway with your significant other. Sun, sand, and surf are only steps away from this classic hotel that combines Four Seasons luxury with California charm.

Lake Austin Spa

Nestled along Lake Austin, the scenic and peaceful view provides the perfect backdrop to unwind. While sometimes 2 glasses of wine do the trick, once in a while a spa weekend is just necessary and Lake Austin won’t disappoint. The spa itself is gorgeous and the staff makes you feel like you are the only guest that matters to them.

Cal-a-Vie San Diego

This crème de la crème spa is a stunning oasis nestled in the hills just north of San Diego with the most breathtaking location in the city. Cal-a-Vie has the most luxurious spa I have ever seen and soon you will as well. Like Golden Door, they tailor every program to suit your personal fitness goals. There is a 5:1 staff-to-guest ratio. Over the top? Nah, I would say it is just perfect for a fussy guest like our readers.

Top 5 Iconic Hotels

January 21, 2016Top 5best hotels, beverly hills hotel, beverly hills los angeles, claridges hotel london, dorchester, eloise hotel, eloise new york, historic hotels, iconic hotels, landmark hotels, plaza new york, raffles singapore, ritz parisStefanie

Ritz Paris

After more than three years of extensive renovation, the grand palatial hotel of Paris was expected to open its doors late 2016. However, due to an unforeseen fire early this year, the opening got delayed a few more months, but rest assured that you will not be disappointed when the Grande Dame of Paris opens its doors.

The Ritz first opened in 1898, which makes it the oldest hotel in our list. The new hotel was constructed behind the façade of an 18th-century town house, overlooking one of Paris’s central squares, Place Vendome. It was reportedly the first hotel in Europe to provide a bathroom en suite, talk about luxury back in the day!

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Claridges, London

Claridge’s was founded in 1812 as Mivart’s Hotel. In 1854, the founder sold the hotel to Mr and Mrs Claridge, who owned a smaller hotel next door. The hotel’s big break was in 1860 when Empress Eugenie made an extended visit and entertained Queen Victoria at the hotel. Like this story, these walls house probably the most interesting conversations among the royal family and political figures of the English history.

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The Plaza Hotel, New York

The French Renaissance château-style building houses the most interesting stories any hotel could ever dream of. From Frank Loyd Wright feeling inspired for his next book, to Scott Fitzgerald wife frolicking in the hotels fountain during the wee hours. The Plaza Hotel has definitely gained the most fame from the Hollywood blockbuster movies that have been filmed here since it’s opening in 1907.

Beverly Hills Hotel, Los Angeles

Also known as “The Pink Palace”, The Beverly Hills Hotel was made famous by actors and actresses at the cusp of the glamour age of Hollywood. This was the place to see and be seen by the most influential and a who’s who of the Entertainment Industry. Today, it is as classic as ever, still serving their famous tuna melts in the Fountain Coffee Room or a ladies’ lunch at the famed Polo Lounge. Like most of the actors in Hollywood, the The Beverly Hills Hotel has aged well.

Raffles Singapore

It was 1887 when the Raffles Hotel Singapore open its magnificent doors to its first lucky guests. Since then, this luxury hotel in Singapore has become an icon that epitomizes the elegance and good taste of the East. Its fresh colonial architecture has attracted the most famous personalities, from writers to celebrities, politicians and members of royalty, such as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. No matter how many new luxury brands make their way into Singapore, this is and will be the place to stay for a classical and grand experience.

Waldorf Astoria, New York

Although the recent renovations have stripped the grandeur of its main lobby area, this hotel is still a landmark of New York due to its stunning art-deco architecture and elegant English country interior. Since it’s beginning, in 1931, the Waldorf Astoria gained international renown for its lavish dinner, parties and galas. A common hub for political and business conferences and fundraising events. Do not forget to stay at the Waldorf Towers, the most exclusive and chic part of the hotel.

Peninsula, Hong Kong

The grand dame of the orient. Every great lady has a history, and The Peninsula Hong Kong is no exception. The architects who in the early 1920s drew up plans for “the finest hotel east of Suez” . From the moment The Peninsula opened on 11 December, 1928, it was evident that this was going to be a hotel to swoon about. Over the years, The Peninsula has been witness to and participant in the history of Hong Kong and the world, celebrating stunning galas, enduring hard war years, military occupation and shining like a diamond. At the Peninsula Hotel myriads of stars, renowned authors, musicians and political figures have chose this to be their home away from home when visiting Hong Kong.

Top 5: Air Travel Trends for the Future

January 13, 2016Top 5futuristic travel, travel future, travel trend, travel trendsStefanie

While there have been some hiccups with international flying, the U.S. is finally making strides upgrading their airliners. Year after year Asia-based airlines, such as Singapore and Cathay Pacific Airways, are at the forefront of luxury air travel, putting the Business and First Class on U.S.-based airlines to shame. In fact, in the year 2015, a U.S.-based airline didn’t even break the Top 25 of the World’s Top 100 Airlines List. However, with America at the head of most technological advances, it only seems fitting that our next wave of development be in Travel.

1. Faster than the Speed of Sound

After the failure of Concorde in 2003, the idea of supersonic flights has been put to rest, until now. NASA announced earlier this year that it will be spending 3.9m GBP funding research into finding a greener and quieter alternative to the Concorde. Airbus is also backing a project for the world’s first supersonic business jet, which will make the flight from New York to London in under an hour. Testing will begin in the next 5 years if all goes according to plan and it’s predicted speed will be just under twice the speed of sound, or 1,300 mph.

2. App Obsession

Airlines are quickly rolling out new apps for airport navigation and flight management. American Airlines recently adopted Apple’s Core Location Technology to help navigate you and utilize your down time in airports. Which will be majorly helpful when International Airports start building more luxury lodging options across different terminals, such as Helsinki has done with their special sleeping pods. If you’re like me, and would rather starve than eat some airplane food, AirGrub has come up with the perfect app to help you find the top restaurants in each terminal and meals to-go or eat-in.

3. Bye Bye Personal Tv’s

Airbus recently filed a patent to introduce virtual reality helmets into airplanes, instead of personal tv’s or group screenings where you’re constantly fiddling with the earphones and trying not to make eye contact with the stranger sitting next to you. The application suggests the helmets could offer “sound, vision or olfactory (related to smell) isolation” from the rest of the aircraft cabin. Hooray for technology!

4. Seat Solutions

With travel at an all-time high, crowded flights where you’re fighting over the armrest aren’t going away anytime soon. However, airlines are trying to maximize space and also increase your comfort level, if ever so slightly. Airbus’ next patent would be a seat layout that would stack people in a split-level, mezzanine-style. Airbus also plans on softening the rigid division between First, Business, and Economy by introducing a morphing material into the seats, the more you pay the more comfortable the seat.

5. See The World Outside From Your Seat

In 2014 Airbus filed another patent for an “interactive cabin window system” instead of 1-2 small oblong windows in each row. The display screen would bring up information and pictures of what you are passing outside, including historical information and world marvels. Imagine being able to watch the sunrise on the ceiling, even though it is still daytime outside, to help your body adjust to the new time zone it has just reached. The seat automatically readjusts itself to a sitting position to gently wake you up and the sunrise turns into a skyline of Manhattan. Welcome to flying in 2050.

Top 5: Travel Gifts for the Procrastinators

December 23, 2014Top 5Anne Menke, christmas gifts, day and night mug, hand-crafted globe, last minute gifts, meshu jewelry, neon sign, top travel gifts, travel gifts, World BeautifulStefanie

The Holidays are right around the corner, which is why we’ve compiled a list of our top 5 favorite travel accessories and decor, for the inner procrastinator in us. Perfect little things from wall decor to cool mugs, your loved world-traveler will enjoy all of these things!

Hand-Crafted Globe

Give the gift of a one-of-a-kind hand-crafted globe. What started out as an 80-year-old’s birthday gift, turned into a worldwide sensation from Bellemy & Co. Nothing shows what a world-wide traveler you are like a globe that you can mark off the places you’ve been. Their inventory ranges from mini desk globes to the grand Galileo Globe.

Hand-Crafted Globes

See the World Beautiful

Fashion photographer turned world-traveler, Anne Menke saw the beauty of styler wherever she went while she circumnavigated the globe. This book is a compilation of some of the most wildly beautiful things and people she saw during her travels. Learn about where some of the world’s top designers got their inspiration from. It is the perfect coffee table book and sure to be a interesting conversation topic.

See the World Beautiful

Day and Night Mug

Adorned with a map of the world on this super-cool mug, you’ll want to get so hyped up on coffee to watch this mug fad to nighttime. When warm beverages within begin to cool, the global scene on the mug’s exterior changes from day to night. This is the perfect gift for your coffee obsessed Father-in-Law or tea fanatic cousin.

Day and Night Mug

Customizable Neon Sign

Choose your loved one’s favorite place in the world and create a custom-made neon sign. Every time they pass by this sign it will bring back amazing memories of a favorite trip or significant place in their lives’. You can choose any combination of letters, numbers, and symbols just remember to also order a transformer so this gift doesn’t go up in flames!

Customizable Neon Sign

Meshu Jewelry

Have a special vacation or adventure that stood out from the rest, such as a honeymoon or anniversary trip? Map the route of one specific trip (or everywhere you’ve been in the world), and let Meshu create your specific geometric shape. You can turn that shape into a necklace, a ring, earrings, a poster or coasters of varying textures and designs. Keep that trip literally close to your heart with this very thoughtful gift! Perfect for your significant other or hubby.

Meshu Jewelry

Top 5: Destinations to ring in the New Year

December 10, 2014Top 5best nye destinations, Dubai, Las Vegas, Mexico City, New Years Eve destinations, Phuket, Punta del EsteStefanie

With my second favorite holiday right around the corner, New Years Eve is one of the most spectacular and wild nights of the year! It’s an excuse to drink fancy champagne and dance until the sun comes up, I mean, who doesn’t love New Years? We’ve put together the Top 5 most over-the-top New Years Eve extravaganzas and the hottest places to ring in 2015.

Rio de Janeiro

Since it’s practically summer in Rio, this is going to be one of the hottest spots to celebrate the big 2015. People swarm the beaches and their adjoining bars, with Copacabana Beach being the center of attention. Don’t forget to pack your best white outfit, since it’s customary to wear white on New Years (it’s said to bring good luck!). Just don’t be mad when you’re doused in champagne and glitter.

Stay:

-Copacabana Palace

-Fasano

Eat:

-Fasano Al Mare

-Azumi

-Pérgula

-Zuka

Nightlife:

-Mirori

-Club Praia

-Fosfobox

Punta Del Este, Uruguay.

Although a lesser-known New Years Eve spot for the USA group, this is one of the biggest hotspots in South America. Every year supermodels, actors, directors, and the elite migrate to Punta Del Este, also known as The Hamptons of Uruguay. Since it’s their summertime, you’d better be in beach-body shape because the crowd here is pretty scantily-clad. Get ready for the craziest beach parties of your life.

Stay:

-Fasano Punta del Este

-Playa Vik

Eat:

-Marismo

-Fasano Restaurante- South American

-La Bourgogne- French Cuisine

-L’Auberge– French Cuisine

-Floreal- International

Nightlife:

-Tequila

-Crobar

-Jose Ignacio Beach

Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Dubai is easily becoming one’s of the world’s fastest growing and expanding cities. Known for it’s extravagance and over-the-top luxury, it is easy to see why this would be one of the world’s premier destinations for New Years. The main show will be held at Burj Khakifa, the tallest building in the world at 2,716.5 feet. At midnight, the building will have a fireworks show unlike anywhere else in the world. However, if you’re like most people and hate crowds, this is probably not your thing. Instead head to the beachside bash at Atlantis, at The Palm, which goes from 3pm to 3am.

Stay:

-Burj al Arab

-Armani Hotel

Eat:

-Eauzone– Modern Asian

-Majlis Al Bahar– Mediterranean

-Amal at The Armani Hotel– Indian Cuisine

-Al Mahara

NIghtlife:

-VIP Room

-Armani/Prive

-Cirque Le Soir

Ko Phangan, Thailand.

One of the most romantic places in the world, this is definitely the place to spend New Years with your significant other or a group of friends. While every major hotel will have fireworks, Ko Phangan is known for it’s full-moon dance party, which sets itself apart from other New Years destinations. This is the place for beach lovers and for those who like to stay up to watch the sunrise, and please do, it’s a spectacular one.

Stay:

-Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan

Eat:

-Fisherman’s Restaurant and Bar- Seafood

-Beach Lounge- Thai Food

-Sunset Bar- Drinks

-Sarah’s Sushi Restaurant– Sushi

Nightlife:

– Cactus

-Kangaroo Bar

-Outback

Las Vegas, Nevada.

Las Vegas is without a doubt, one the wildest and most out of control places to be during New Years. The strip gets blocked off from car traffic and from what i’ve heard, cops tend to look the other way when stuff goes down. However, since this is the most popular time to go, prices tend to go waaayyyy up, so make sure to book in advance.

Stay:

-Wynn Las Vegas

-Encore at Wynn Las Vegas

-Skylofts at MGM

Eat:

-Joel Robuchon– MGM Grand (French)

-CUT Steakhouse– Palazzo/Venetian

-Estiatorio Milos– Cosmopolitan

-Bostero– Wynn Las Vegas

Nightlife:

-Hakkasan– MGM Grand

-Light Nightclub– Mandalay Bay

-XS– Encore at Wynn Las Vegas

-Marquee Day Club– The Cosmopolitan

Top 5: Most Expensive Hotel Suites

November 19, 2014Top 5expensive hotels, four seasons new york, hotel martinez, las ventanas al paraiso, laucala, most expensive hotel rooms, president wilson hotel, shahi mahal suite, the raj palace hotel, top 5 expensive hotel roomsStefanie

Got some money to burn? We have accumulated the world’s most outrageously expensive hotel suites so you can do just that. Instead of a down payment on a house or a new car, you could spend one night in one of these over-the-top rooms.

Royal Penthouse Suite at Hotel President Wilson.

The number one most expensive (and luxurious) suite in the world in located in Geneva, Switzerland, which should come at no surprise considering Swiss essence is trés chic. For the measly price of $62,613.47 you can stay in this sprawling 1,700m² suite located on the rooftop floor of hotel. The suite comes with 12 luxury rooms and marble bathrooms, panoramic views of the lake and mountain backdrop, Bang & Olufson gadgets, and a private gym. This suite also comes equipped with the toughest security, bullet-proof glass and hired body-guards for the rich and famous. The Royal Penthouse is so glorious it really shouldn’t be considered a suite, it’s in a league of it’s own.

Shahi Mahal Suite, The Raj Palace Hotel.

Want to live the in ultimately luxury like a Maharajah Prince? This would be the place to do it, considering this palace was created for India’s royal family. Costing up to $60,000 a night, this palace suite will sure be worth it: it is currently undergoing renovations, though when it is finished, it will have a new 24,000-square-foot landscaped terrace garden and a three-sided infinity pool. The suite already boasts its own astrology room, library, bar, and private theater.

Ty Warner Penthouse Suite at The Four Seasons NYC.

Named after the billionaire-owner of the Four Seasons hotel brand, this suite is the perfect place for out-of-towners to come experience New York City glamour, if you’re willing to sell all your belongings to afford the one night’s stay of $45,000. The Penthouse took seven years and $50 billion dollars to create, soaring 800 feet over the streets of Manhattan, a view like this is unforgettable. The Penthouse comes with its own Zen room (in case the price gave you a stroke), private spa room, floor-to-ceiling windows, grand piano, and 24-hour personal butler. This Penthouse embodies old-world money and glamour with the sophistication of New York City’s elite.

Hilltop Estate Owner’s Accommodation, Laucala Island.

Once owner by media magnet, Malcolm Forbes, this property is a “resort within a resort”. Located up in the tropical rainforest of Laucala Island, staying at this estate is like renting out your own private island, for half the price. For only $40,000 a night, this 11,000m² piece of property is perfect for a multi-family getaway, if you’re Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. The estate has a uniquely designed main residence with its own panoramic pool landscape, two spacious guest residences and special services such as a private cook, a chauffeur and a private nanny. When the estate is available for rent, you must apply by application. You must then wait for an invitation to stay in this most exclusive of paradise villas.

Penthouse Suite, Hôtel Martinez Cannes.

For the wealthy and famous Cannes Film Festival-goers, this is the chicest and most in-demand place to stay. The suite is set aside for the biggest Hollywood producers, actors, and directors. For only $37,500 a night, this beautiful art-deco suite can be yours. The suite comes with up to 4 bedrooms, a private 290m² terrace with jacuzzi (with the most exquisite view of the Bay of Cannes), living room, and private dining room. This is absolutely the most perfect place to host that grand soiree for all your celebrity friends.

*Coming soon, Las Ventanas al Paraiso in Los Cabos will debut one of the grandest most expensive villas ever built starting at $30,000 per night. The estimated date of opening is still pending, but early 2015 is the word on the street.

Photographs courtesy of the properties.

Top 5: Luxurious Airport Lounges.

November 12, 2014Top 5best airport lounges, British Airways, Etihad Airways, first-class airport lounges, Virgin AirlinesStefanie

Delayed flight? Yipe!

Upon hearing the fantastic delay news -dreadful for many- I couldn’t help but to scream with excitement! It means I have more time in the posh British Airways First Class Lounge for a desperately needed deep tissue massage and a glass of Veuve.

Find below the Top 5 Airport Lounges in the World, where the word luxury is an understatement:

Etihad Airline First Class Lounge- Abu Dhabi Airport.

Drinks: Champagne bar or Cigar Lounge.

Kids Room: Playroom for kids with qualified nannies.

Entertainment: Individual Bang & Olufsen flat screen with headsets and a relaxing library.

Food: À la carte fine dining. They also offer a Chefs table right in the kitchen.

Refresh: Step into the magnificent showers while the staff irons your clothes and polishes your shoes.

Spa: World-renowned Six Senses Spa, yes you read right… Six Senses.

Features: Wi-Fi, computers, concierge team and Mercedes car service from anywhere in Emirates to the airport.

Virgin Atlantic First Class Clubhouse- JFK Airport.

Size: 10,000-Square- foot lounge.

News: $7 million dollar renovation.

Drinks: An uber trendy bar and lounge worth missing your flight for.

Entertainment: With billiard tables and awesome sofas.

Food: You can order anything you want from any corner of The Clubhouse but if you are looking for a fine dining experience, Brasserie is the perfect space.

Sleep: Person-sized cavities in the walls. They offer a sleep suit so you don’t have to wrinkle your clothes.

Spa: Bumble and Bumble hair salon and Dr. Hauschka spa treatments.

Features: Wi-Fi, computers, concierge team.

British Airways First Class Lounge – London Heathrow T5 Airport.

Drinks: The modern bar overlooks the runway with floor to ceiling windows. Attached to the bar, there is a massive terrace with sun beds and comfy sofas.

Food: Throughout the day the restaurant offers delicious meals with a variety of European styles. There are also waiters around the lounge ready to take your order of any meal you desire.

Sleep: Private cabana rooms include beds and luxury amenities.

Spa: The luxurious Elemis Spa offers a wide range of treatments.

Features: Quintessentially Concierge services, Wi-Fi and computer stations.

Lufthansa First Class Lounge- Frankfurt Airport.

Size: 13,000-square-foot lounge.

Office: They offer private offices with Internet connections, printers, and copiers.

Sleep: Individual quiet rooms with daybeds for napping. (The staff ensures that sleeping passengers are woken in time for their flights).

Refresh: Showers and tubs come equipped with Lufthansa’s signature rubber duckies.

Food: At the restaurants, meals are served by Vienna’s DO & CO, which is known for catering Formula 1 races; all meals are complimentary.

Spa: It includes two Jacuzzis.

Entertainment: A game room with Nintendo Wii systems.

Features: Computer station, Wi-Fi and Valet parking while being escorted through the line-free security process by a personal assistant.

Time to board? Passengers are driven to the plane in a Porsche or a Mercedes-Benz.

Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge- Hong Kong Airport.

Size: 42,900 square-foot lounge over two floors

Drinks: The Champagne Bar and The Cocktail Bar– where passengers can unwind, relax and enjoy the view of the apron with a glass of champagne or signature cocktail.

Coffee: The newly-introduced Coffee Loft provides a relaxing environment where passengers can enjoy a cup of freshly brewed coffee and pastries baked on the premises.

Food: A 24-meter Long Bar of hot and cold buffet items, Japanese Noodle Bar, four restaurants (including one just for first-class passengers, called the Haven).

Relax: 24 shower suites with soaking tubs, 26 IT workstations, lots of daybeds and comfy chairs, and a spa.

Top 5: Spookiest Haunted Hotels

October 29, 2014Top 5Haunted Homes, Haunted Mansions, Ireland, Luxury Haunted Hotels, New OrleansStefanie

Just in time for Halloween, we have collected the Top 5 most luxuriously haunted mansions and hotels in the world, for a price. If you are faint of heart these places are definitely not for you, however if you’re the thrill-seeking-scared-of-nothing type, this may be right up your alley!

The Stanley. Estes Park, Colorado.

Most famously known as the isolated ski lodge from, The Shining, this glamorous mansion of a hotel also comes with the amazing mountain backdrop and a beautiful lush interior. While the Hotel is very well haunted, every year The Stanley celebrates the presence of the hotel’s supernatural with their annual Shining Ball and guests can enjoy murder mystery dinner and Ghost Adventure Package. Just don’t forget to ask to stay in rooms 407, 217, or 418, the hotels most haunted rooms. In room 407, the tobacco smoke from The Earl of Dunraven can still be smelt. Stephen King and his wife stayed in room 217 and experienced some extra ghostly housekeeping services: bags unpacked and clothes folded neatly into the dresser without any explanation. But room 418 is the most haunted of all, the stay say they’ve seen ghosts of children and even their impressions left behind on the mattresses. SpoOoOoOoky!

Chillingham Castle. Northumberland, England.

Chillingham became a fully fortified castle in 1344 and since then has up kept its medieval luxury and royalty feel. Kings and Queens would come to here to hunt and for leisure vacations. The staterooms are known for their Elizabethan ceilings and antique originals. Fresh from his royal triumphs at Windsor Castle, Sir Jeffrey Wyatville created a garden so extensive Queen Elizabeth would be proud. And yes, there is a dungeon and a torture chamber, standard right? Due to multiple executions during the castle’s battle days, many spirits stayed behind such as The Blue Boy, whose screams can be heard in the night, and Lady Mary Berkeley, who is still in search of her long lost husband. Don’t let these things deter you, I assure you the ghosts are perfectly friendly!

Dragsholm Slot. Sealand, Denmark.

Located in the picturesque and idyllic town of Sealand, one would think this castle just provides the perfect long-weekend getaway. With expanding lawns and gardens perfect for a wedding, the 34-room mansion is built for the wealthy of Denmark to come eat, drink, and be merry. It is also one of the oldest castles in Denmark, built in 1200 and remodeled over the years. One thing they do not like to advertise are their 3 resident ghosts: The Earl of Bothwell, The White Lady, and The Grey Lady. During one of the hotel’s renovations, a body of a nobleman’s daughter was said to have been found entombed inside the castle walls. Her father imprisoned her after she fell in love with a commoner. The Earl has been said to ride through the courtyard with a full horse and carriage, so be sure to watch out to not get run over.

Hotel Monteleone. New Orleans, Louisiana.

Known as “The most haunted city in America” due to its dark and mysterious voodoo past, the Hotel Monteleone was built in 1886 and has had multiple renovations done to it since then to expand into over 300 rooms in the heart of the French Quarter. 5-generations have owned and operated this 15-story hotel since then, all while keeping up the Beaux-Arts style interior and antique decorations. In the late 1890s Josephine and Jacques Begere, their 3 year old son, Maurice and his nanny came to stay at the Hotel Monteleone. Josephine and Jacques Begere went to the Opera, while the nanny stayed with Maurice at the hotel. Disaster was just around the corner. Tragedy struck when Jacques was killed in a carriage accident. Their son, Maurice caught yellow fever, and died at the hotel. Josephine never got over losing her husband and son, and died a year later of a broken heart. This is one of the many many instinces in which the hotel is claimed to be haunted. The International Society of Paranormal Research even spent some time at the hotel to investigate these claims. If you want to know what they found, try checking out the hotel for yourself.

Honorable mention: Le Pavillon Hotel in New Orleans. Equally luxurious and especially haunted.

Ballygally Castle Hotel. Larne, Northern Ireland.

Built in 1625, Ballygally Castle is a beautiful and regal hotel on the Antrim Coast in Northern Ireland. It overlooks Ballgally Bay and has stunning views of the Scottish coast. The rooms are fit for a king, quite literally actually and each room comes equipped with a ‘cloud mattress’, for the nights too scary to get out of bed. Which may be many nights, according to the Castle staf,f there has been a ghost haunting the mansion for over 400 years. The ghost is said to be that of Lady Isobella Shaw, who was the wife of Lord James Shaw. Lord Shaw wanted a son to be his heir, however when Lady Shaw delivered him his heir he snatched him away and locked her up in a room at the top of the castle. In an escape attempt, it is believed Lady Shaw fell to her death. Another theory is that Lord Shaw himself thorugh her to her death or he paid someone to do it. The ghost of Lady Isobella is said to be friendly and is regularly seen wondering around the old castle, perhaps in search of her beloved son. There are countless reports of eerie activity around the castle with several guests feeling a presence in their rooms, hearing unexplained noises, and witnessing the inexplicable. A mysterious green mist has also been reported hovering above the castle. Ballygally Castle hotel is proud of its resident ghost, dedicating a room to her in one of the towers in the older part of the castle, so beware!

Also receiving honorable mention: The Langham Hotel. London, England

This is the time for adventure! Try zip-lining, pick up surfing, go hiking to majestic waterfalls, or scuba-diving!

Where to eat:

Gerard’s restaurant is French cuisine and rated no. 1 in Maui, Mama’s Fish House restaurant is the freshest fish on the island, Merriman’s is a beachside farm-to-table restaurant that shouldn’t be missed, and Lahaina Grill is an upscale eatery that features the freshest of ingredients.