keeping cadence in synch with advisors and clients - · pdf fileis the oldest seaside resort...
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DESTINATIONSAll About France
South Africa Sans SafariIn India with Taj
HOTELSInside Shangri-La at the Shard
SoCal Vacation Fun
CRUISECelebration Voyages
SPASWellness in the Wild
WENDYBURK
Keeping Cadencein Synch with
Advisors and Clients
A U G U S T 2 0 1 4
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Inspiring and Educating Sellers of Affluent Travel
From the beaches to the alpine peaks, France serves up a slice of paradise for food lovers, culture vultures, and fashion fiends. Not to mention its capital’s awesome allure. Another reason to faire la fête in Paris? The Fondation Louis Vuitton (www.fondationlouis vuitton.fr), designed by architect Frank Gehry with dramatic glass sails, will open in October in the Bois de Boulogne, and this month Paris says bonjour to The Peninsula. (Luxury Travel Advisor attended the hotel’s exclusive pre-opening event, and you can
believe the hype.) Beyond the Boulevard Périphérique, France’s attractions continue to thrill the world’s jetsetters. Voici some of the best new addresses from our little black book.
For a “suite” respite in the beating heart of Paris, the Grand Hotel du Palais Royal (www.grandhoteldupalaisroyal.com)—which opened last fall as the only luxury address next to the iconic courtyard gardens—has two dreamy signature suites on the top floor. From the terraces, you can peer over the walls of
the Palais-Royal, its mosaic-floored arcades lined with luxury boutiques such as Didier Ludot’s dépôt for vintage haute couture. Acclaimed designer Pierre-Yves Rochon was recruited to decorate the hotel interiors and the look reflects the sophisticated, contemporary style you find in his other projects (Four Seasons George V, Shangri-La Paris, and Grand Hotel du Cap-Ferrat). Resembling chic private apartments, these light-filled suites have Calacatta marble bathrooms, prestigious Zuber
wall coverings, and designer furniture, such as Charles Eames armchairs. The Palais Royal Suite has a unique lounge in the dome of the 18th-century building, while the Panoramic Suite—accessed by private elevator, and frequently used for fashion shoots and luxury product launches—offers vistas over the city’s major monuments. For VIP bookings, contact Sales Director Séverine Greault ([email protected]; 011-33-014-723-8851).
With just 68 rooms and
18 LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR | AUGUST 2014
Tour de France
DESTINATIONS
suites, this intimate five-star hotel has a Carita spa and a well-connected Clefs d’Or concierge team helmed by Antoine Guillon ([email protected]; 011-33-014-296-7221). Looking for a good table just a stone’s throw from The Louvre? The hotel kitchen is overseen by Jean-Yves Bournot, who honed his skills under the tutelage of star Chef Yannick Alléno. A sublime spring lunch started with savory éclairs as an amuse-bouche, followed by parmesan-crusted asparagus, perfectly cooked fish, and a bijou
lemon tart flecked with gold foil. After lunch, have a peek at the forged iron staircase, which is heritage-listed; at its foot is a custom luxury trunk that was commissioned as a unique sculpture.
Another hotel to put on your radar is Le Cinq Codet (www.le5codet.com), which will be opening in September in the seventh arrondissement. Jean-Philippe Nuel (www.jean philippenuel.com), who is one of the hottest designers in France today, was given carte blanche to transform the circa-1930s telephone exchange into a luxury boutique hotel. (Nuel is known for his transformative hotel proj-ects in heritage buildings like the InterContinental Marseille and the new Molitor in the landmark pool complex in Paris). Rooms will be reminiscent of artist’s ate-liers with designer décor from the likes of Tom Dixon. The Agence Nuel also created special custom furniture, like the lobby desk that resembles one of Rodin’s sculpted blocks of marble, in homage to the nearby Rodin Museum.
Nuel is also waving his wand over the historic casino in Trouville, sister town to Deauville on the coast of Normandy. This is the oldest seaside resort in France, captured on the canvases of prominent Impressionist painters, and the new property—opening in 2015—will follow the tradition of the grand hotels of the Belle Époque. Called Les Cures Marines de Trouville, the sea-facing complex includes a thalassotherapy spa center and a five-star hotel by MGallery. Indeed, Accor’s new upscale brand (the “M” in MGallery stands for “memorable”) is growing by leaps and bounds. Each of the properties—as evidenced by the new Molitor hotel in Paris—is grounded in its local setting, brimming with personality. Luxury Travel Advisor met with the sales team at this year’s
Rendez-vous en France trade show. We were impressed by the brand’s vision and growth.
From Trouville, a scenic drive north along the Normandy coast will bring you to Fécamp. Once a fishing village and a major pilgrimage site, Fécamp is the birthplace of Bénédictine, the age-old liqueur that today is seeing a renaissance as a special touch in mixologists’ craft cocktails. We highly recommend a visit to the Palais Bénédictine (www.benedictinedom.com), the neo-Gothic palace that houses the distillery, as much for the stellar art collection as for the immersion in the drink’s mysterious origins. Created by an alchemist monk in
the early 16th century, the herbal elixir was revived by Alexandre le Grand in the 19th century, and the recipe—a mélange of 27 herbs and spices—is closely guarded to this day. The savvy businessman was the first to export liquor to America and also an advertising pioneer (he commissioned artists to create posters promoting the health benefits of Bénédictine).
After your tour, unwind in the lovely tasting room, stroll through the contemporary art gallery, or partake in one of the new cocktail ateliers, taught by the award-winning barman from the Normandy Barrière in Deauville. For VIP reservations, contact Sales Development Manager Julie
DOMAINE DE MANVILLE (here) stands at the foot of the medieval hilltop village
of Les Baux-de-Provence.
GRAND HOTEL DU PALAIS ROYAL’s (right center)
Panoramic Suite offers views over Paris’ major monuments.
DOMAINE DE MANVILLE (bottom right) is a luxurious
retreat amidst olive groves and lavender fields.
www.luxurytraveladvisor.com AUGUST 2014 | LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR 19