Monthly Archives: September 2007

The Equinox Resort and Spa • Manchester, Vermont

Posted on September 25, 2007 by Leticia| Leave a comment

New England’s historic retreat

Equinox Resort

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The Equinox ‘s history as a Manchester Village hotel stretches back to colonial times. Opened in 1769, the memorable guest register includes such historic figures as Teddy Roosevelt, U. S. Grant and Mary Todd Lincoln. The resort sits between the Green and Taconic mountains, in an area of quaint boutiques, art galleries and antique shops.

Equinox Resort - Lobby

The 183 guest rooms are furnished with in richly textured fabrics, Audubon prints and antiques. There are also townhouses with inviting fireplaces, fully equipped kitchens, porches, and mountain views. At the Charles Orvis Inn, the atmosphere is of a private country retreat. There are nice luxurious suites with marble baths, kitchens and living and dining areas. The historic 1811 house completes the array of fine accommodations.

One of the highlights of the Equinox is the championship-level golf course, Gleneagles. A sister course to the Scottish Gleneagles, this 18-hole course is available May through October. Other activities include falconry, archery and an Orvis Fly-fishing school. Of course, nearby there is also skiing, hiking and biking. Or another pleasurable day can be spent in the extensive spa facilities, which include 10 treatment rooms, a world-class fitness center, 75-foot indoor heated pool, relaxation room with fireplace, movement studio, mens and women’s saunas and steam baths and signature treatments with local flavor.

Equinox Resort - Lobby

Equinox Resort
Location: 567 Main St, Hist Rte 7A, Manchester Village, VT; 70 miles from Albany, NY airport.

Luxury style: The spa fanatic will love the pampering and wide range of treatments at the Equinox. Perfect for a weekend rejuvenation from the pace of everyday life. And the idyllic countryside will thrill nature lovers, walkers, families, while shoppers will not be idle with the search for finds at quaint shops in every direction.

What we’ve heard: The activities and surroundings make this resort special, but travelers should ask for the most recently renovated accommodation.

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The Oberoi Rajvilas • Jaipur, India

Posted on September 22, 2007 by Leticia| Leave a comment

Perfect portrayal of India’s regal past

The Oberoi Rajvilas • Jaipur, India - Exterior

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Harking back to the princely past in Rajasthan which had its heyday in the 18th century, The Oberoi Rajvilas is a recreated fort of a Rajput prince. Located outside the exotic and fascinating city of Jaipur, it is a luxury resort with a gracious manner, elegant service and singular tranquility.

Set in 32 acres of landscaped gardens studded with reflection pools and pavilions, it contains guest rooms, luxury tents and villas that are situated around private courtyards.

The interiors of the guest rooms feature marble baths and flooring, four-poster beds and balconies looking out on the lush courtyards. Amenities include the full range of hi-tech gadgetry including satellite TV, Internet access, CD and DVD players, as well as the usual luxury accoutrements such as bathrobes, refrigerators and minibars.

There are fourteen air-conditioned Rajasthani luxury tents which are finished with teak floors and claw-foot tubs. Tent guest can relax in their private walled garden and outdoor deck.

For the ultimate in luxury, there are several villas which have a master bedroom and guest bedroom, private pool and garden, dining room and kitchenette.

The Oberoi Rajvilas • Jaipur, India - Grounds

Dining is another romantic adventure. The Surya Mahal and Courtyard serves both international and India specialties. Guests can choose to dine under the stars in the courtyard with entertainment of traditional Indian music and dance.

There is a fine Oberoi spa with  spa suites adorned with hand-painted frescoes.  Holistic treatments drawing on both East and West are offered.  Guests can unwind in the steam room, sauna and whirlpool or rejuvenate with a session of yoga.  A fully equipped gym, swimming pool and tennis courts are also available.

The Oberoi Rajvilas • Jaipur, India - Guest room

The Oberoi Rajvilas
Location: Goner Road, Jaipur, India; 13 miles from the Jaipur airport. 

Luxury style: An amazing honeymoon destination, suitable for families traveling with children. Retirees will appreciate the convenience of the hotel car for expeditions. For anyone who has ever perused an Indian miniature or had their imagination stimulated by a carpet, this is the place for you.

What we’ve heard: Service is so attentive that it might be distracting for some guests not used to having their every whimsy taken seriously. But most guests will enjoy the pampering.

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Castle on the Hudson • Tarrytown, New York

Posted on September 20, 2007 by Leticia| Leave a comment

Palatial getaway a stone’s throw from the Big Apple

Castle on the Hudson Banquet

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The Castle on the Hudson is an intriguing souvenir from early in the 20th-century, located in Tarrytown, NY and overlooking the Hudson River. The 45-room baronial estate was built by the son of a Civil War general, and styled after Norman castles in Britain.  All around the hotel are magnificent grounds enclosed by a stone wall and landscaped with a arboretum of evergreens and rare varieties of trees, grasslands and flowers.The Castle first opened as a luxury hotel in 1940 and has been landmarked by the City of Tarrytown.

The property is known as a perfect site for special events, large business gatherings, getaway weekends for romance and royal weddings.

The facilities include a large, outdoor pool, which overlooks the Hudson, with a giant Jacuzzi spa and poolside bar situated adjacent. Poolside lunches are also served nearby. The finely landscaped grounds offer lawn games, and there is an outdoor tennis court, onsite.

Castle on the Hudson suite

The Castle has changed very little in its first century. Much of the original interior woodwork and furnishings, which were built by a team of carpenters brought from Germany, still remain intact.  The guest rooms at the Castle are luxurious furnished with goosedown comforters, marble bathrooms and high-tech amenities.  The suites are even more spectacular with interesting features such as fireplace and turret alcoves.

And a highlight to a journey to The Castle on the Hudson will be dinner at The Equus restaurant and General’s bar,which ornate and elegant dining rooms as well as an enclosed veranda that has spectacular views of the Hudson River and New York City skyline. One of the dining rooms, the impressive Oak Room, features paneling brought from General Carroll’s house in St. Germain, outside of Paris, France.

The countryside along the Hudson is a veritable museum of beautiful and historic mansions, most open to the public.  Some highlights and their distance from the Castle on the Hudson:
• Lyndhurst Castle, 3 miles
• Sunnyside Estate, 3 miles
• Old Dutch Church, 4 miles
• Phillipsburg Manor, 4 miles
• Van Cortlandt Manor, 9 miles
• Kykuit-Rockefeller Estate, 4 miles

Castle on the Hudson Dining Room

Castle on the Hudson
Location: s400 Benedict Ave, Tarrytown, NY 10591;25 miles from New York city, 50 minutes to an hour and a half to JFK or LaGuardia, depending on traffic.

Luxury style: For an extra special occasion book a Tower suite, which feature four-poster beds, wood-burning fireplaces, marble bathrooms, turret alcoves and breathtaking views of the hillside, the Hudson River and Manhattan.

What we’ve heard: Perhaps one of the world’s most perfect choices for a fall foliage weekend. The Hudson landscape is magnificent with the turning colors of the leaves and the views while touring the fascinating landmarks of the area are spectacular.

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Posted in Most Beautiful Hotels, New York